Letter to Grand Forks Herald
From Chris Douthit

Wow! On behalf of the staff and students of Schroeder Middle School I would like to thank the many people of Grand Forks who helped make the first annual Operation Day's Work (ODW) a success. One year ago when ODW was introduced to me by the United States Agency for International Development, I was unsure what would occur or how people would respond to a new program. The students of Schroeder, the citizens and business community of Grand Forks responded admirably and made our first year a true success.

On Tuesday, May 11, over 200 Schroeder 7th grade students went to work throughout Greater Grand Forks. In return for their work, each student received $20 - $25 for their time and energy. When the day was done, over $4,000 was raised for a livestock adoption program in Haiti. For the Haitian youth, who have limited educational opportunities (the average Haitian has 1.5 years of education and there is a literacy rate of just 45%), the money will purchase female goats to raise and eventually make a living from (the average annual income in Haiti is $400).

Once the teen has demonstrated the ability to raise the goat, a male goat is given to him/her. As offspring are born, the females will be given to another student to raise. In order to keep the goats, the students must show proficiency in raising the animals. The program will expand on its own.

Many, many people are to be thanked. The first business meeting for the student committee was with Mike Jacobs, the editor of the Herald. They went in to ask if the paper would be a corporate sponsor. Mike didn't have to answer the questions. He let his positive speaking gorilla do all of that. What a great first experience around a business table for the students.

The staff of Schroeder accepted the program and were willing to do everything that was asked of them. The school board and administration have assisted as well through their acceptance and support of ODW.

The Grand Forks Park District, through the guidance of Marcia Larson, persevered with last-minute planning. The students were to have worked with a park district horticulturist in planting trees and preparing a park at Congressional I & II. The soil was too damp for that work and the day before the workday Marcia found other work for 60 students. Her guidance and cooperation with our schedule was nothing short of spectacular. We look forward to a lasting relationship with them.

Thanks to Rob Smith of Wal-Mart for allowing the students to have a bake sale in their lobby. The store matched the $144 that was raised. Leever's and Hugo's let the students hold car washes on their property (and although rain seemed to be imminent throughout the day, over $300 was raised at $4 per washing). Conlin's Furniture had eight students working for the day. When the work was done, manager Dean Fossum had nothing but praise for the program and the students which worked there.

Thanks to the parents who had their child and a friend work in the home an elderly citizen. Those citizens had much indoor and outdoor work completed which may have waited. But with the giving of their time and donations, the parents taught their child the importance of helping those who may not have the means or ability to do various tasks.

Lately we have been hearing about the negatives of our youth and the damage that has been caused. When a community comes together and makes good avenues available, the students will rise to the occasion and show their true worth. We are very, very fortunate to have the youth in this community that we do have.

Next spring we will have our 2nd annual Operation Day's Work. If your business, organization or private residence would be interested in having a student, or group of students work with you, please call Schroeder Middle School for more information. The student committee members would also be willing to meet with you or community organizations that you are involved with.

A special thank you to a man named Mike. After washing the windows of the Italian Moon, he walked across South Washington to the girls at the Leever's parking lot car wash. He asked what they were doing the wash for. They told him it was for Operation Day's Work and explained the program. He smiled, gave $20, and didn't even have his car washed. It's people such as you Mike that teach youth the importance of serving others.