Students get rockin' to help out charities

BRRR! The weather turned a bit chilly for the "Rock-a-thon" Saturday at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Maumee. Hosted by YIPEE, nearly 20 area students bundled up to rock their chairs for charity, collecting $1,000 from pledges and passersby. To make the time go faster, students played music and games and sang songs, while sipping hot chocolate, compliments of the restaurant.

YIPEE, Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence, is funded partially through the Toledo Community Foundation, and administered by Leadership Toledo. Participants are alumni of Youth Leadership Toledo, an eight-month program that teaches leadership skills, critical thinking, and community involvement to sophomore high school students.

More than 50 students chosen by their schools spend the year raising funds for local nonprofit organizations that work with youth. They meet every two weeks and host numerous fund-raisers. Last year YIPEE raised $15,000; the goal for this year's group is $18,000. The president is David Libbe, a senior at Perrysburg High School. More information about YIPEE can be found at leadershiptoledo.org.

Kalia Blanchard, left, of Central Catholic and Alex Guyton of Bowsher try to stay warm at the Cracker Barrel restaurant.

SPEAKING of braving the cold for charity's sake, members of the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Association will hawk their annual publication Friday. They will be out and about on the sidewalks at The Andersons, Kroger and other area grocery stores, retail areas, and credit unions.

Many members of the organization gathered for the 79th Annual Awards and Scholarship Banquet at Gladieux Meadows Monday night with retired sportscaster Jim Tichy as emcee.

Jerry Anderson of WTOL-TV, the honorary paper sale chairman, gave a pep talk for the paper sale. He is hoping that the cold weather will bring sympathy and encourage more donations because the funds are for children in need of warm clothing.

The funds also provide nine $5,000 scholarships to area students. This year's the awardees, announced by Ron Shnider, for his dad, Al Shnider, 92, who started the scholarship program, were Katie Walton and Bobby Woodcock of Central Catholic, Heather Angel Kitchen of Northview, Precious Allen of Woodward, Megan Breier and Katelyn Cody of Whitmer, Escence Sullivan and Cody Clark of Start, and Lee Dunn of Toledo Technology Academy.

The 2008 football player of the year was announced by Tom Cole of BCSN and Dave Hendricks, the Old Newsboys' corresponding secretary. He is Eric Page of Springfield High School. He received a $1,000 scholarship. Finalists were Brad Rogers of Central Catholic, and Alex Pidcock of Southview High School.