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May 25, 2001/Sivan 3, 5761, Vol. 53, No.34
Fifth-grader is one of '12 Who Care'
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
While many kids her age are glued to Nintendo, 11-year-old Risa Isard of Phoenix has been busy making a difference.
Isard recently won a Channel 12 "12 Who Care" Award for her volunteer efforts on behalf of YWCA's Haven House, a Phoenix shelter for homeless and abused women and children.
After consulting with YWCA Director Barbara Lewkowitz, Isard initiated a school-wide project at Mercury Mine Elementary School to gather toiletry and personal care items for Haven House residents.
"I told Risa that the YWCA appreciates every kind of donation we receive from the community, whether it's clothing, volunteered services or cash donation on any level," says Lewkowitz. "However, something we're always desperately in need of - and what many people don't think to donate - are personal care items for the women and children who live at Haven House. Items like shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and diapers for the children are simple, everyday things, but the families are so thankful to have them."
The toiletry drive has been held the last two years, with Isard collecting more than 1,500 items this year.
The school held a contest to see which class could collect the most items. Michelle Cleary of the Phoenix Mercury came to Mercury Mine to meet with the winning class, which Isard says collected 325 items.
Isard says she decided to start the drive because she wanted to help people. "I think it's really sad how they have to live there and they're less fortunate. I wanted to give them things that they needed."
Isard appears in several commercials for Channel 12's "12 Who Care," as well as on the local news, which she says she found exciting.
Isard says she likes to play soccer, participate in track and field and go horseback riding. She lives in Phoenix with her parents, Debbie and Dan, and her brother, Phillip, 14. The Isards are members of Beth El Congregation.
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