These young people are in charge
<p>Shealyn McCune, a fifth-grader at Sorenson Magnet School, visits with class mates Wednesday following a presentation by the school's new group Young People in Charge to the Kootenai County Humane Society.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Autumn Plucker is in charge.
So is Quentin Gonzalez.
And Trinity Pertle.
And Amanda Pace.
Each belongs to "Young People in Charge" at Sorensen Magnet School for the Arts and Humanities, and already, this group of young visionaries is making a difference.
Wednesday, the fifth-graders presented $174, seven blankets, treats and toys to Idella Mansfield with the Kootenai Humane Society.
"This is our first job," Autumn Plucker said. "We knew right away we were going to do this for the Humane Society."
"We really wanted to help the animals that were in need," she said. "We knew this shelter in particular was in need of help."
Young People in Charge has grown dramatically since being formed at Sorensen this school year.
"We started with four people and now have almost all of fifth grade," Amanda Pace said.
The group isn't bashful about its plans: Change the world.
"That is a responsibility that we take seriously," it reads on their website, http://ypichelp.weebly.com, which members created. "We are young people but we realize that we are in charge of making things happen."
YPIC found inspiration after watching a video about a boy, Zach Bonner, who six years ago formed the Little Red Wagon Foundation," a nonprofit that benefits needy kids.
"Why can't we do that?" students asked.
Turns out, they can.
YPIC members collected donations over the past month from families, teachers, other students. They gave up their lunch hour some days to seek contributions at school. They established the website to help spread the word and provide a method for monetary gifts via e-mail.
"We have no money yet to have a professional website," said Shealyn McCune.
They noted that because they have no overhead, every penny collected went to the Kootenai Humane Society.
"We just wanted to help because they're doing a brilliant job," Trinity Pertle said.
"We all love animals," added Quentin Gonzalez.
Mansfield, adoption outreach and volunteer coordinator, said their efforts were "absolutely wonderful.
"These guys are amazing for doing this," she said. "It's so appreciated."
Already, YPIC has more missions in mind.
"We're debating about hunger and orphans," Shealyn McCune said. "I want to do both."