The Sunnyvale Sun

News

Never too young to be an active community volunteer and make a difference

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

The newest member of the Dinner at the Dump board has found time to organize three troops of Girl Scouts and plan recycling games for visitors, a considerable feat considering she has to sandwich the weekly meetings in between homework and soccer practice.

Nicole Schmidt, 11, and her fellow members of Girl Scout Troop 421, helped out at several events benefiting Sunnyvale Community Services, including last year's Dinner at the Dump, where they helped collect donations.

Each year, Dinner at the Dump, hosted by Specialty Solid Waste and Recycling, raises money for local charities. At this year's event on June 17, called "Stepping Up a Trashy Affair," Sunnyvale Community Services, the Rotary Club of Sunnyvale and SVL, Leadership Sunnyvale's parent organization, are receiving grants. More than $40,000 was raised last year.

"I wanted to start helping because I thought it would be fun, and I wanted to help Sunnyvale Community Services," Nicole said. "I want to help Sunnyvale Community Services because some people don't have enough money to buy food, and that's really sad."

Part of the money raised goes to SCS to provide food, vouchers and financial assistance to low-income families in Sunnyvale.

"It was amazing how much money the kids brought in, and they were such good workers," said Dee Simms, Dinner at the Dump board member.

From there, Nicole was invited onto the board and has helped coordinate where Girl Scouts will help out this year. Her own troop, as well as troops 1198 and 152--her younger sister's troop, run by their mother and Simms--will be at this year's event.

In addition to logistics, Nicole said she has planned a series of recycling games for people to play in a carnival setting. One game involves a pile of trash that participants must sort into different recycling piles.

"It teaches people how to recycle," Nicole said.

Simms said having Nicole on board has helped because it brings young people into a process that usually involves community and business leaders.

"I think she can be an inspiration for other kids, whether they're middle school or high school students," Simms said.

In addition to the games and food--which will include chicken, salmon and oysters--there will be a dunk tank, and Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles and former mayor Larry Stone have volunteered to get dunked.

Dinner at the Dump tickets are available from Specialty Solid Waste and Recycle at 355 Thomas Road, Santa Clara, or by calling 408.565.990.

Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for children under 10. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. on June 17.