The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- February 15, 1999

Maryland school makes kids' needs a priority with 'KidPins

BY KAY HAWES
STAFF WRITER

His name is Davis, and he is 2 years old. He was placed in foster care after his mother died of cervical cancer and his father could no longer care for him. He needs care, love and a stable home.

Who can help him? Who can be his voice in the complicated system that neglected, abused and poverty-stricken children must travel?

The answer is simple. His voice is Advocates for Children and Youth (ACY), a Maryland nonprofit child advocacy organization that speaks up in the legislature, the media and the community for the needs of children.

When ACY needed a helping hand, it received assistance from some caring individuals -- Margie Tversky, the athletics director at the College of Notre Dame (Maryland) and the student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) on the campus.

ACY has a most unusual way of raising funds, and it was an idea that appealed to the student-athletes immediately. The organization sells "KidPins," an idea that grew out of an effort to educate state legislators about the issues facing children in Maryland.

The pins are made of brightly colored polymer clays, and they come with a story card describing the real circumstances of children in Maryland. Davis, described above, is one of many children whose circumstances are detailed on a KidPin.

In October, Tversky presented the SAAC with the idea of selling the ACY KidPins as a community-service project. A few months later, student-athletes from the basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball teams donned their uniforms and donated their time to sell KidPins.

"Service to others is integral to the students' experience here at the College of Notre Dame," said Margaret Brack, director of campus ministry at the college. "This sense of responsibility to the greater community permeates the campus atmosphere. The student-athletes' enthusiasm and success with the KidPins is a prime example of the interest and commitment of CND students in aiding people in need."

The KidPins, which sell for $10 apiece, netted more than $2,400 for ACY, one of its largest sales efforts this year.

"It was like a gift out of the sky that they called," said Monica Starr, ACY's KidPin project coordinator. ACY does not have an advertising budget. For the most part, KidPins are sold through volunteers and other nonprofit organizations.

When the student-athletes heard about KidPins, they wanted to help.

"The students were really moved by the stories of the children who would benefit from the efforts of ACY," Tversky said. "It also made them realize how fortunate they were to have grown up in a safe and healthy environment."

SAAC representatives approached their respective teams and encouraged their teammates to sign up to sell the KidPins both on and off campus.

"As a SAAC member, I thought it was important that I involved myself and my teammates in this worthwhile cause for children," said Sandy Kotanko, a sophomore field hockey player. "My teammates and I had a great time selling the KidPins, and we were touched by the many stories."

The student-athletes were pleased with the reception they received both at the college and in the community.

"People took time to read the stories (on the cards) and selected ones that they could relate to," said April Moore, a junior volleyball player. "Some bought the pins to give as gifts to relatives or friends. Others bought them to give to their children's teachers or care-givers. They also made great gifts for people working in the helping professions, such as social work and counseling. The best part of buying or giving a KidPin is that the money will go to a good cause."

The student-athletes also took advantage of the opportunity to bond with their teammates.

"Being involved in this activity gave me a good opportunity to spend time with my teammates outside of the pool," said freshman swimmer and field hockey goalie Janet Bane. "We were all extremely touched by the situations that these children face on a daily basis. This experience made us count our blessings."

The student-athletes sold the pins on campus, at a basketball tournament and at a local bookstore.

"It was wonderful watching our student-athletes in action," Tversky said. "They were effective advocates for ACY and exemplary representatives of our college. They enjoyed their interaction with members of other teams and with the community as a whole. Most of all, they came away from this project with the feeling that their efforts might, in some small way, make a difference in the life of a child in need."

They were just who little Davis needed.

To learn more about KidPins, contact Monica Starr at 410/547-9200 or visit ACY's Web site at www.acy.org.