Editor’s Note: This article was published in the Spring 1997 issue of the “CommUnity News,” a printed publication distributed quarterly.
It started with a television network and a pledge. By the time it was over, scores of area residents had helped over a half-dozen elderly homeowners spruce up their property and RASKALS was born.
RASKALS (Random Acts of Simple Kindness Affecting Local Seniors) involved a group of students and adults who spent a Saturday raking leaves, cleaning gutters, putting up storm windows and helping elderly residents with other household chores. Students from Lakota elementary schools, scout troops and church groups participated in the December 14, [1996] event.
Spearheading the effort was Emily Weber, an 11-year-old 6th grader at Adena Elementary School. Emily saw a commercial on the Nickelodeon Network encouraging kids to pledge 10 hours toward a community project and she wanted to help. Her original project – painting an overpass – was vetoed as too dangerous, so she worked with Township officials to develop a list of elderly residents who might need help with chores.
Township officials wanted to create a project to help the community’s elderly, and Emily was quickly made project chairperson. The project then needed a name and 5th & 6th grade classes at Adena Elementary were asked to name the project. Sara Meisberger, another 6th grader, submitted the winning name, RASKALS. As a prize, Sara’s class was rewarded with free Cheese Coneys donated by a local Skyline restaurant.
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Once the name was set, Emily then recruited volunteers to participate in the 1-day blitz. She talked to her classmates, scout troops and other community groups. Churches were visited and volunteers enlisted.
“I even made a speech at the Rotary Club,” Emily said, adding that she had been a little nervous, wondering if anybody would show. “I thought that some people would show up but I didn’t know how many.” Emily need not have worried. Her pitch was effective and about 50 residents had participated by the end of the day.
Most of the RASKALS showed up around 9 a.m. on the sunny and warm December Saturday. In all, five teams helped eight homeowners.
One of the volunteers was Emily’s mom, Kitty Weber. She spent the day with her daughter and classmates raking leaves in one resident’s yard. “All they did was rake and move them all day." Kitty said the students worked and sang and just had a good time helping a neighbor. “They worked well,” Kitty said. “It was really a good idea and I know she wants to do it again in the spring.”
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At Christine Prows’ house on Butler-Warren Road, the RASKALS put plastic insulation on two windows and fixed a light at the bottom of a staircase that had been broken for about six months. “Then they took out the sweeper and cleaned out about four heating registers,” said Prows. Mrs. Prows said she used to take care of her house herself but the passing of her husband two years ago and a back ailment has limited her ability to care for her property.
“I can’t get away from the house, I don’t drive,” she said. “Since I got in this condition I can hardly do anything.” Prows was thrilled with the students’ enthusiasm and work. “They were all so sweet I could’ve just kept all of them,” Mrs. Prows said. “I was so glad they fixed (the light on the staircase.) I don’t have any help at all,” she said. “I appreciate it so much.”
As for Emily, she has found some recognition for her efforts. She was a WCPO Channel 9 student of the week and she and Sara were recognized by the Union Township [West Chester] Trustees and received Certificates of Recognition.
If you know a local senior that would benefit from this service effort, please [visit www.WestChesterOH.org/RASKALS.]
For more information about West Chester, Ohio's bicentennial anniversary, visit www.WestChesterOH.org/200.