03/04/10 - Baylor School students learn philanthropy lesson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: February 19, 2010
Contact: Deborah Luehrs
deborah.luehrs@siskin.org
423.648.1708, office

Baylor School students learn philanthropy lesson
Donated toys to benefit children at Siskin Early Learning Centers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. —   Two Baylor School students recently used the power of philanthropy to help children with special needs while earning classroom credit.

Katie DeMars and Kelly Scruggs, both 18, recently donated more than two dozen toys to Siskin Children's Institute. The young women, bound for college in the fall, had to perform a community service project to graduate, but they say their efforts were all about giving back to an organization that was close to their hearts.

“My little brother has Down syndrome, and he attended Siskin Children's Institute,” DeMars said. “We wanted to support the Institute because it was so important to my family and others like us.”

It took fewer than two months for DeMars and Scruggs to amass the donation. Donors left toys at four drop-off locations across Hamilton County. The young women also received a $160 grant from Baylor School as well as donations from Learning Express Toys and Toys R Us.

“Collections were easier than we thought,” Scruggs said. “We’re thankful that so many people wanted to help.”

The toys will be added to Siskin Early Learning Center classrooms as part of the organization’s preschool program for children with and without disabilities ages 6 weeks to 6 years. The centers provide an inclusive learning environment where children of all abilities learn and play side by side.

“We are very grateful to these young women,” said David Cook, Ed.D., director of school operations. “We are fortunate to have many generous donors throughout this community and elsewhere. It’s encouraging to see that spirit of giving has been passed on at such a young age.”

Photo caption: Kelly Scruggs, right, and Katie DeMars, 18-year-old seniors at Baylor School donated toys to Siskin Children's Institute recently. The toys will be used in the Siskin Early Learning Center classrooms.

About Siskin Children’s Institute

Siskin Children's Institute makes life better for children with special needs and their families. Founded in 1950, the nonprofit organization achieves its mission locally and nationally through four initiatives: education, outreach, health care and research. The Institute provides early childhood education where children with and without disabilities learn together; family support and professional development programs; developmental behavioral pediatric health care; and innovative research in early childhood development and special education. For more information about Siskin Children's Institute, visit www.siskin.org.

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