KIWINs donates $250 to Struggling Student

Reminding those in need that they are far from being forgotten, a club derived from the internationally recognized Kiwanis organization, KIWINS, served its community on Oct. 9 by donating $250 to struggling Downey student, Lizett Postigo."KIWINS as a club helps people become leaders," said KIWINS President Zach Gauderman. "We encourage leadership though service. Kiwanis gives out a lot of scholarships and help people who are in need, and I would like for us to do the same thing-just to help people out who need it." Postigo certainly qualifies as a person in need. She is the daughter of a mother who is currently hospitalized due to Leukemia, and has taken on many responsibilities unknown to most students her age with the help of her father, who is currently away in Peru. Postigo held a previous job position at Penske Toyota but was recently let go due to the economic recession, making the 17-year-old's life that much more difficult. "She pays the bills with money her dad sends, but still has to keep the house clean, grocery shop, cook, etc," said KIWINS Advisor and Downey High English teacher Bryn Wade in an email. "These are burdens that are meant for adults, but in Lizett's case, she has no choice but to persevere." It had been Wade who had discovered this heartening story when Postigo offered to teach this English teacher Latin dance classes or piano lessons for $10. After revealing her circumstances, Wade was determined to assist the teenager in some way since he hadn't been able to make time for lessons. Having brought up Postigo's situation in a KIWINS Board of Trustees meeting, an agreement was made that some form of assistance should be carried out to help lesson the load on the teenager's shoulders. This assistance came in the form of $250.

********** Published: October 16, 2009 - Volume 8 - Issue 26