Olin Mott provides a useful reminder of what can be accomplished with common sense, commitment and a big heart.
A few years ago the 86-year-old head of Olin Mott Tire Co., who is involved with numerous charitable causes, wanted to find a way to help troubled students at Joshua House, a shelter for abused and neglected children.
He consulted with University of South Florida College of Education officials, and together they came up with a program where honor students tutored the kids. It worked wonders, with the youngsters relating well to college-age instructors.
Last spring the program was tried in three public middle schools with encouraging results. Now it is being expanded to 10 middle schools.
Mott, as is typical, generated a lot of community support. The New York Yankees, TECO Energy Inc. and Bright House Networks are among the sponsors. Even Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee is providing support through a special drug-fighting fund.
It's money well spent. As Mott says, there is no better way to fight crime than getting at-risk kids to succeed in school. And, as Mott understands, there is no better way to build a great community than to help others.
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