Walk This Way

Today is International Walk to School Day, with nearly 3,800 schools participating in the U.S. alone. Walk-and bike-to-school rates have plummeted over the last four decades, with many parents citing safety concerns as the barrier. Safe routes are a piece of the puzzle, but kids can help also each other feel safer on the way to and from school by walking together. It's a common-sense way for kids to help each other maintain a healthy weight, manage stress, and add a little fun to the day. (What better time to debrief on the latest videogame release, Idol vote-off, or peer histrionics than walking with a friend?)

Toy Drive!

image: Disney/Pixar

The folks at teen-founded Second Chance Toys have been busy since I posted about them back in April-- securing 501(c)(3) status, passing the 50,000 mark in rescued-toy donations, and expanding into new geographical areas. You and your kids can help by bringing previously owned plastic toys (clean & in good condition, please) to a dropoff location this month or next. Want to spread this kid-friendly, eco-friendly effort to your community? Hit the ground running with the organization's starter kit. Woody & Buzz would be proud.

If the Shoe Fits

Imelda Marcos has nothing on Oliva Wright, 11. Through her Tennessee H.U.G.S. organization, the Hendersonville, Tenn., girl has collected an astounding 3,000+ pairs of shoes. But unlike Marcos, Olivia won't be modeling her collection. H.U.G.S. stands for Help Us Give Shoes, and these kicks all go to kids (and adults) in need, mostly in the Appalachians.

Organizing shoe drives and soliciting donations nationwide, Olivia not only collects the goods; she goes (pardon the pun) a step further by ensuring they get cleaned, sanitized & spruced up for their next owners -- a responsibility she takes personally. "Every pair of shoes that my mom and dad buy me is more appreciated now," she told ParentDish. "I still love cute shoes, but I love knowing that someone else will enjoy them after I do. I work to keep them clean and in good shape."

This ambitious kid hopes to have H.U.G.S. in every state within 5 years -- but won't stop there: "I plan to always lead H.U.G.S., all the way through high school, college, and then let my kids help me one day."

Tech Titan

A computer-obsessed 16-year-old may not sound all that unusual, but how about one who has channeled his passion into programs that protect the planet and help kids learn? That would be Alex Lin.

Not content just with the computer donation and refurbishment program he built in his hometown of Westerly, R.I., Alex created computer centers worldwide, providing 300 computers so far to students in the United States and abroad. Under his leadership, media centers have blossomed in Sri Lanka, Mexico, Cameroon, Kenya, and the Philippines, along with the U.S.

The adage "charity begins at home" isn't lost on him, either. Alex finds time somehow to help his 11-year-old sister, Cassandra, on a project that recycles used cooking oil into biofuel, which in turn is used to provide heating assistance to low-income families.

"Computers open an entire world of opportunities," Alex told ParentDish. Kudos to him for sharing that world with peers.

(photo: odemagazine.com)

Earth Angel

With Earth Day 2010 coming up next Thursday, April 22, many kids & families across the USA will join in neighborhood cleanups and other environmental projects. But there's a way for kids to help the planet and their disadvantaged peers in one fell swoop: Collect outgrown or underused toys for Second Chance Toys, founded by teen Sasha Lipton. The organization has donated more than 41,000 recycled toys so far and does two big drives annually, including one for Earth Week. Go here for ParentDish's feature on Sarah, or here to get involved. Sounds like an awesome school service project, too.