Aditya Middha, ten-year-old son of Ajay Middha and Madhu Rishi, is a 5th grader at Woodcrest Elementary School. This past May, he and three friends had a birthday party together. They decided to ask their friends to bring donations for Shelterhouse, rather than birthday presents. That initial act of generosity inspired Aditya to do more.
Aditya wrote letters to his principal, Mr. Jeff Pennex, and his teacher, Mr. Steve Markey, explaining what Railway Family Center does for the community and asking for permission to start a food and diaper drive to benefit Railway Family Center. Aditya received permission, and he quickly moved his idea into action, collecting over 200 diapers and 200 food items for the Railway Family Center.
When praised for his hard work on this project, Aditya humbly states, “My whole school did it, not just me.”
When asked why he began this project, he explains that the holidays are about having thanks and giving to others. “It is more fun to give things than to get things.”
He would encourage other kids who want to start service projects to take the idea to their schools and to ask others to help.
