change the world challenge

Every once-in-a-while you run into something and wonder "Where did that come from?" At a time when most of us are worrying about our own personal situations, there comes something, something completely from left field, something completely unselfish and excellent.

I was reading a newspaper online about $11,000 from a high school class fund being donated to a charity. It's a nice story, one that you might find in a hundred other communities.

But, it doesn't end there. These kids are going one better. No, make that infinitely better. They are challenging themselves, their community, the world to give back, to make a difference, to be the difference. These aren't kids, they're heroes, everyday heroes you read about doing heroic things from humble beginnings.

The thing that separates these kids from me and most people is the recognition of a problem and a plan to do something about it. It isn't grandiose. It's a plan, a realistic plan.

They are going to their community and saying you can do something. An elementary student can give a quarter. A middle schooler $2.50. They're challenging their community leaders, their parents, their friends. These kids are changing a paradigm from their problem to our solution. Their $11,000 is $31,000 today. It will be more, much more.

Go to this website. http://www.changetheworldchallenge.com/ There is a video. Watch it. It will change you.

I am in awe of these kids. Congratulations Middleton High School Class of 2009. I'm proud to know you.