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Tampa Teen To Get National Service Award In D.C.

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By MICHELLE BEARDEN

mbearden@tampatrib.com

Published: February 21, 2009

TAMPA - Jonathan Freeman makes his first trip to Washington, D.C., next week.

That's exciting for any 14-year-old. But this trip has a purpose besides sightseeing.

On Tuesday, the Tampa teen will be presented a Kids to Kids National Service Award by the Child Welfare League of America at an annual luncheon in the capital city. He's the sole winner in his age group.

The Tampa Tribune wrote about Jonathan's service project in August on the Faith & Values page. Since then, his story has been picked up by several media outlets. And now, this prestigious award.

"We're very proud of him," Susan Freeman says of her son, a student in the International Baccalaureate program at Hillsborough High. "He came up with an idea and he followed through with it. And he doesn't want it to end here."

It began almost two years ago when Jonathan celebrated his bar mitzvah, a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony. 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 program in my own community and hope that this example can spark thousands of other kids to help me make a difference."

His plan was to help children in need get school supplies. In about a year, Jonathan had more than $3,000. He met with the Children's Board of Hillsborough County to identify areas of greatest need.

Then he bought and gave away more than 400 backpacks filled with pens, notebooks, folders and more to youngsters in need through the Florida Kinship Center. The program, partially funded by the Children's Board, supports grandparents raising children whose parents have either died or are unable to care for them.

"I feel like it was more than a drop in the bucket," Jonathan says. "I didn't know it would get so big, but when it did, I felt it really did make a difference. A lot of kids were helped."

Last year, the Temple Terrace Police Department gave him its Do the Right Thing award, and he was the speaker at the Florida Kinship Center's statewide conference. His project was mentioned on the air on the nationally syndicated "Bonnie Hunt Show" and in a segment on Nickelodeon, a children's TV network.

And in the Jan. 26 issue of Scholastic magazine, his story was part of the "Kids Give Back" cover article on www.scholastic.com/news.

The Children's Board nominated him for the national Child Welfare League award. The letter sent to the league on his behalf stated: "As adults, it's important that we welcome our children's thoughts and suggestions - even on more complex issues. Often, their innocence and fresh outlook could be a key factor in solving many of life's challenges."

Jonathan wants other teens to be inspired by his project and get involved in their communities. And he's proof they can do it without hurting their grades - he's an excellent student - or extracurricular activities - he is a fencer and a violinist who plays for the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra.

"I know it's kind of hard to get kids to donate money and time, but I want them to know it's not that hard," he says. "I think this just proves that anything is possible, if you put your mind to it."

Michelle Bearden can be reached at (813) 259-7613.

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