A tradition continues: 16 years ago, Alice Mendoza’s third-grade class made the first “Kids Can Make A Difference” calendar, and a year hasn’t been missed since.

Over the years the proceeds from calendar sales have funded numerous projects on our Sister Island, Ometepe, in Nicaragua. A few of the projects include clean water, schools, libraries, milk for children, school equipment, musical instruments, latrines, etc.

Before Alice and her husband, Carl, left to teach in Morocco, she honored me with the opportunity to carry forth this wonderful deed. My third-grade class at Ordway has just completed the 2009 “Kids Can Make a Difference” calendar. Thanks to Scott Harris at Custom Printing, their generosity allows us to keep the calendar price at $10.

With the anticipated proceeds, my class has chosen to fund: a bathroom in the Balgue Preschool; a computer with the JAWS program for blind students to audibly enjoy keyboarding and “read” emails and internet information; more new latrines; funding to continue the Si a La Vida program; clean water for another needy community; and two college scholarships.

We will be selling calendars on the weekends of Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-7 at Town & Country, Safeway, Soul Mates, Ace, Bainbridge Bakers and Blackbird Bakery.

Thank you for helping these young children know that they can indeed make a difference.

Boo Schneider

Third grade at Ordway

City