TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

'Selflessness' earns award

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: June 24, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - Fifteen-year-old Jonathan Freeman is, according to his mother, Susan, a normal, well-balanced kid who makes good choices.

The Hillsborough High International Baccalaureate junior is an excellent student, a talented violinist who plays in the Patel Conservatory Youth Orchestra and a competitive fencer soon headed to Dallas to participate in a national contest.

"I would also say that he is a global steward, a holder and a keeper of ideas and ideals, and he seeks them out," Susan said.

There is one thing she and his father, Tom, know Jonathan is not. He has never been a kid who searches for or is keen on being the center of attention.

But, like it or not, he was in the limelight last week at a city council meeting when Temple Terrace Mayor Joe Affronti presented him with a trophy and $100 Target gift certificate as winner of the 2008-09 Do the Right Thing award. He was among the monthly award winners from schools that nominate students in the Temple Terrace Police Department program.

In the past two years, Jonathan collected $3,000 to cover the cost of purchasing and filling 420 backpacks with pens, notebooks and other school supplies for children in need. He dubbed the endeavor Kits for Kids. The backpacks were distributed through the Florida Kinship Center, a program partially funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County.

His goodwill effort began when he learned about a family who had to choose between buying backpacks for their children and paying for medical care.

In lieu of accepting gifts for himself, the then-13-year-old had a different request of those who were invited to his bar mitzvah ceremony.

He included this note in the invitations:

"I know the world has many problems and I cannot change them all myself. But I can help with one program in my community and hope that this example can spark thousands of others to help me make a difference."

When police Officer Michael Holness, the Hillsborough High resource officer, heard about Jonathan's benevolence he decided to nominate him for the Do the Right Thing award.

"I thought he showed a lot of character, initiative and selflessness," Holness said. "We focus a lot on the negative aspect of kids, and it's refreshing to recognize those who are doing good things and even going above and beyond."

Jonathan said he believed it was his duty to do his part.

"I'm hoping to get some matching funds and corporate sponsorships, and I want to continue this project even when I'm in college," he said. "I thought it was very nice to be recognized by the mayor of Temple Terrace and the council."

Jonathan's good deeds also earned him a Kids to Kids National Service Award in February from the Child Welfare League of America, a mention on the "Bonny Hunt Show" and an appearance last year on Nickelodeon, a children's TV network.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 731-8026.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT