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Teen's Work Is An Inspiration

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 2, 2008

Jonathan Freeman gives me hope.

Not because he's an excellent student in the International Baccalaureate program at Hillsborough High. Not because he's an accomplished violinist and fencer. And not because he's good with children, animals and is generally a nice kid to be around.

Those are all good things. But there's more.

Jonathan gives me hope that we haven't completely failed the generations that follow us. And that some youngsters are paying attention to the lessons taught to them by their parents.

When Jonathan celebrated his bar mitzvah, a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, at Tampa's Congregation Schaarai Zedek last year, he made a special request in his invitation. To those who would shower him with cash and gifts to mark the occasion, the then-13-year-old wrote:

"I know the world has many problems and I cannot change them all myself. But I can help with one problem in my own community and hope that this example can spark thousands of other kids to help me make a difference."

Big words and lofty goals for a youngster just entering his teens.

Although synagogues encourage their bar mitzvah candidates to undertake a community service, Jonathan set his sights higher than most. That came as no surprise to his parents, Thomas, a physician, and Susan, an executive search consultant.

"We're strong believers in the power of clear intentions," Susan Freeman said. "He understands how to use the power of an idea to make a difference in the world. He knows how to communicate it with action."

Kits For Kids

Jonathan's idea was to help needy children get school supplies. In a year's time, he raised more than $3,000. He met with the Children's Board of Hillsborough County to identify areas of greatest need. He did research and got local businesses to donate. He called his project Kits for Kids.

A few weeks ago, Jonathan gave away 370 new backpacks filled with pens, notebooks, folders, glue sticks, crayons, sunglasses, disposable cameras and T-shirts to needy youngsters through the Florida Kinship Center, a program partially funded by the Children's Board. The center provides support to grandparents raising children whose parents have either died or are unable to care for them.

The value of each backpack came to about $35. If you're stretched so thin you have a hard time paying the utility bills or buying gas, this is a huge help.

Why do these caregivers need assistance, with all the government programs out there? Because most are not officially the children's legal guardians, so they often don't quality for resources in the child welfare system.

"I heard a story of a family that had to choose between school supplies and medical care for their kids," Jonathan said. "I decided to step in and help."

Sabrena Washington, 39, was one of the recipients. She's a cake decorator at a Publix who began caring for her troubled teenage niece three years ago. Now, 15-year-old Kebrina Johnson is showing great improvement, in school and in self-esteem.

But times are tough. A backpack full of new school supplies will ease some of Washington's financial burden.

"Words cannot describe someone so unselfish," she said of Jonathan. "He's going to be one of the great people in this world. I just know it. There aren't that many left, but it's good to know they are still out there."

Nita Serrano, a Tampa paralegal, echoed that sentiment. She has a 17-year-old daughter at home, and is raising two nephews, ages 14 and 11. She called the backpack giveaway "Christmas in July."

"And this all came about because of a teenager?" she said. "Now that's impressive. This is what you hope you can instill in kids. But it doesn't always work out that way. He is something else."

More Work Left To Do

Jonathan gets a little embarrassed by all the attention and praise. He wants to maintain a partnership with the Children's Board for future endeavors. He got a call from someone who heard about his Kits for Kids who wants to donate a few computers.

"We'll be working on that," he assured me.

Soon we may be hearing about Kits for Kids projects in other parts of the country. Jonathan undertook his effort in conjunction with Earth Scouts, a national program developed by the nonprofit Earth Charter U.S. The organization inspires youngsters of ages 3 to 17 to be positive role models in their community.

Kits for Kids is now on the organization's Web site as a project that can "easily be replicated across the world." It also meets one of the Earth Charter's goals: "Be sure that everyone gets a fair share of Earth's resources."

Jonathan's mom calls her son a "normal kid, with a great sense of humor and a generous spirit."

I call him an inspiration.

Reporter Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613 or mbearden@tampatrib.com. See the backpack giveaway on Michelle Bearden's "Keeping the Faith" segment Sunday at 9 a.m. on WFLA-TV. For more on Jonathan's project and the Children's Board, go to t

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