Friday, May 9, 2003
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Friday, May 9, 2003 |
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Bellywasher' girl making an impact in community By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Shelby Coffey loves drinking BellyWashers and after a year of serving on the BellyWashers Kids Board it is quite possible she loves it even more. Coffey was one of 15 children chosen last year to be a part of the BellyWashers Kids Board program. The process started with an internet application and included references from her parents and teachers, phone interviews and more paperwork. Eventually, Coffey received a package that included a message on a tape recorder that told her she had been chosen for the program. The Kids Board program has two main functions: to act as a think tank with the BellyWashers marketing team, and to act as ambassadors for BellyWashers while establishing kid-focused community service events. Coffey took to both tasks exceptionally well, helping BellyWashers come up with some new designs (though she could not disclose any details), and forming a local club that has done a number of good deeds in the community over the past year. The Kids Board members had a board meeting at Universal Studios in Florida and got to enjoy the park when not in the meeting. Though her work with BellyWashers marketing team is impressive, it is her work in the community that should be commended. A former student at Peachtree City Elementary School who is currently being homeschooled, Coffey recruited a number of her friends from school to help doing some community service projects. One of the first things her club did was throw a Christmas party for students at the Joseph Sams School, raising money for presents, games, decorations and more. The group also had a yard sale and used the money raised, $375, to present Easter baskets and a check to the Fayette Youth Protection Home. "It was hard to decide which group to support," Coffey admitted. "I heard of these two groups and thought they were nice organizations to help." Coffey and her group did not stop with these two projects. They adopted Pebble Pocket Park in Peachtree City and clean the area once a month. They also collected 300 fast food toys and delivered them to children at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The group has also made valentines for residents of the Ashley Glen Assisted Living Facility, spent time with students at the Sams School and has made and sold crafts to raise money to donate to the school as well. Members of the group are Drake Ford, Drew Ford, Jay Patrick Wormer, Emily Tackett, Martine Van Voorthuysen, Courtney Walker, Courtney Rosa, Matthew Winn, Clay Reindl, Jessica Yelton and Paige Curasi. When not studying or doing activities associated with the Kids Board, Coffey plays piano, dances with Dance Contempra and takes photography classes at Summerhill Academy. She has also recently joined the middle school youth group at Peachtree City United Methodist Church. Her favorite subjects are math and reading and her favorite flavor of BellyWasher is the watermelon-flavored drink with the Spider-Man top. Though her time on the Kids Board is nearing its end, as ambassadors can only serve a one year term, Coffey is looking forward to doing more in the community. The program has also given her a better understanding of business and marketing. Coffey got to tour the facility that makes BellyWashers, located in Austell, and met with the people who design the tops among other employees. Coffey's mother, Amber, has seen the community service projects give her daughter and the other children in the group a better sense of community. "I think if they start volunteering at a young age, they are more likely to continue it when they are older." Coffey and the other 14 board members are being considered for a $5,000 educational scholarship that will be presented to the board member who has demonstrated the most initiative over their term. While Coffey has undoubtedly done a lot for the community over the past year, it is clear the scholarship does not weigh heavily in her motivation. "It is important to make other people feel good," said Coffey, who watched her group grow from the first meeting and would like to see it continue to grow. While she admits it was hard to think of projects at first, more come to mind much easier now and it is something fun to do. "Volunteering is a good thing to do," said Coffey. "More people should do things for others."
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