Berkeley Eighth Grader Gives Community, Family Unforgettable Experience

Berkeley Middle School eighth grader Sean Allred’s recent Eagle Scout project to donate goods to Ugandan schools and orphanages turned into community wide effort that involved two WJCC schools, a church, a neighborhood, a family dentist, and the Williamsburg Lions Club.  It ended with a once-in-a-lifetime family experience for all five Allred brothers and sisters, all of whom attend or graduated from WJCC schools, and parents Kristyn and Brent Allred.

Sean, 13, began by placing collection boxes at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School, where his brother, Adam, 11, attends fourth grade, and Berkeley Middle School.  The family’s church, their neighborhood, their dentist, and Lions Club member generously gave donations of eye glasses, toothbrushes, baby blankets, and school supplies.  The family packed 9 large suitcases filled with the donated items, along with musical instruments they purchased, and took them to Uganda.  When they arrived in the African nation, they purchased soccer balls and net balls to add to the donations.  They spent several weeks distributing the goods, experiencing  rich interactions with Ugandan children in 10 schools and one orphanage.  They donated Band-Aids and personal hygiene items to a health clinic, and bought jewelry from a women’s craft group. 

“These donations made some Ugandan children very happy,” said Ms. Allred.  “When we gave out the soccer balls, the faces of the kids lit up and they immediately started playing.  We joined in the fun and learned once again that soccer is a universal language.”

Adam taught a recorder class at two schools, with the children erupting into laughter when he tried to show the music teacher how to play.  Also assisting with distribution were older brother Nathan, 17, a senior at Jamestown High School, and 15-year-old sister Rachel, a sophomore at JHS, and sister Jessica, 19, a freshman at Brigham Young University and a graduate of JHS.

Photos:  From left:  Sean Allred and the nine suitcases full of items the family took to Uganda to distribute to those in need; Nathan Allred with village children; Adam teaches village children how to play donated recorders; Rachel cuddles a newborn; The Allred family, back row, from left:  Father Brent, Nathan, and Rachel Allred; Front row, from left: Adam, Sean, Jessica, and mother Kristyn Allred.