CharitableChildren

THERE ARE A LOT of great charitable organizations dedicated to helping children in need, but in Westerville, one of those has children doing the helping, too.

For the last two years, Katerini Soisson and Jacob Glorioso have been leading their nonprofit organization, Children Supporting Children, while juggling the demands of school and extracurricular activities.

The organization’s start came in 2009 after a family vacation to New York City, when Soisson and Glorioso –whose families often vacation together – were moved by the homeless people they saw in need.

“I kept seeing these homeless children and felt really sad,” says Soisson, 12, a seventh-grader at Walnut Springs Middle School. “I cried when we got back to the hotel and thought maybe we can make some money and give it to these people in need.”

After the two successfully completed a reading class fundraiser for preschoolers, they donated the money to the Metropolitan Community Church of New York’s Homeless Youth Services program. Soisson and Glorioso jumped at the idea to take over the nonprofit organization Christmas in July – previously run by their parents, Maria and Duane Soisson and Amy and Eric Glorioso –and have never looked back.

In early 2010, they changed the name and began working on their new and improved Children Supporting Children.

“Each year we pick a different organization that benefits children,” says Soisson. “We work closely with (Westerville Area Resource Ministry), and in August, we donated bags filled with pencils, papers and other school supplies that some kids can’t afford.”

“In winter, we donated hot chocolate with mugs and scarves,” adds Glorioso, 13, an eighth-grader at Genoa Middle School.

In addition to the school supply packs and winter gear, Children Supporting Children and W.A.R.M. also donated personal care products in February 2011 and summer fun supplies such as sports equipment in May 2011.

This summer, Soisson and Glorioso are focusing their efforts on providing school supplies, sports equipment and books to students in need attending Westerville City Schools. They are accepting donations of gently used books and sports equipment and new school supplies, and are also seeking volunteers to help with unloading and setting up supplies, distributing materials, serving lunches and cleaning up.

In addition to scheduling and leading these charitable events, Soisson and Glorioso occupy what free time they have with a variety of after-school activities.

“I’m halfway to a black belt in tae kwon do,” says Soisson. “I also cheer for Walnut Springs and like to play foot- ball and other sports. I like to be active.”

Glorioso participates in a service learning group at school called Legacy and plays trumpet in the band.

While their after-school activities are important to them, Soisson and Glorioso often have to prioritize and schedule around Children Supporting Children events because, as they both state, “CSC was first.”

Though still young, the organization’s leaders are not without aspirations. Soisson would like to either become an elementary school teacher or a builder because she enjoys “building things.” Glorioso would like to become a middle school teacher because he wants to continue working with and helping children.

When asked if they see themselves continuing to work with the organization even when they are older, both were in agreement that they plan on being involved as much and as long as possible.

“The nice thing is we have younger siblings, so it will be nice for them to help, and hopefully we can go as far as we can with CSC,” says Glorioso. “We hope they will become the leaders of CSC and help children of their generation,” Soisson says.

Their younger siblings, Sophia and Eleni Soisson and Zachary Glorioso, already help out with all the events, including packing the school supply bags and organizing a recent garage sale.

The annual spring garage sale raises much-needed operating funds for the organization, and the Soissons and

Gloriosos donate their own items along with those donated by friends and neighbors to the sale. The sale raised $300 this year.

Soisson and Glorioso hope their organization can gain more recognition so their events and initiatives can become even more successful. “We are in central Ohio, but there are so many other organizations in the state and I’d like us to help as many as possible,” says Glorioso.

For more information about volunteering or making a donation, visit www. childrensupportingchildren.blogspot. com or email childrensupportingchildren@live.com.

Amanda Ross is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@ pubgroupltd.com.

Service Schedule

Children Supporting Children will provide goods to children participating and attending the following dates:

Sports Equipment

July 9, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ridgewood Park, 5402 Buenos Aires Blvd.

July 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., La Vista Townhomes, 6797 Spring House Ln., Columbus

School Supplies

Aug. 6, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Ridgewood Park, 5402 Buenos Aires Blvd.

100 N. High St, Ste. A Dublin, OH 43017

444 N. Cleveland Ave, Ste. 210 Westerville, OH 43082

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By Garth Bishop