Lend a Hand! the World by Helping Others INSIDE:INSIDE: ● One Family’S Mission to Promote Tolerance and Respect Made ● Fighting Hunger Possible by in America

StandStand Up,Up, SpeakSpeak Out,Out, Changing Lend a Hand! the World by Helping Others INSIDE:INSIDE: ● One family’s mission to promote tolerance and respect Made ● Fighting hunger possible by in America

www.kleinfoundation.org www.kimmel.org www.centeronhunger.org FromFrom TerrorTerror toto ToleranceTolerance How Two Activist Spirits Were Born Gerda Weissmann Klein and Kurt Klein were both teens when the horrors of World War II changed their lives. From their personal suffering and loss, they developed a deeply held belief in the essential values of tolerance and respect for others—and the importance of taking action through service to help people everywhere. CARLCOXPHOTO.COM

ERDA WEISSMANN TURNED Gerda saw her father for the last was a German Jew who had fled the 15 ON MAY 8, 1939. It was time. The next day, she was separat- Nazis at age 17. Though Kurt Klein Gthe last birthday she would ed from her mother. Her parents hadn’t suffered the physical tor- ever celebrate with her family perished in the gas chambers. ments that Gerda had, he knew loss. together—mother, father and broth- Through three years in slave er, Arthur. It was the last she would labor camps—dressed in rags, A Failed Rescue celebrate in freedom until 1945. By always hungry, with the knowledge Kurt Klein grew up in Walldorf, then, Gerda, a Polish Jew, was the that death could come at any time— Germany. He turned 13 in 1933, the only one of her family and close Gerda carried on. She stayed close year Hitler came to power. Three friends alive. years later, with condi- The terror began tions growing worse for in September 1939, Jews, the Klein family when Nazi Germany decided to emigrate to invaded Poland and America. Kurt’s sister left first, and Kurt followed in 1937. The year after,

Kurt’s older brother MEMORIAL DE CAEN/CORBIS SYGMA

COURTESY COURTESY HBO arrived. Next, the children thought, would be their parents, Ludwig Gerda as a 15-year-old teen (left). Like this woman in a Nazi and Alice. concentration camp, Gerda was starving and emaciated, But time was run- weighing 68 pounds when she was liberated after three years of slave labor. ning out. In Germany, Hitler’s campaign against Gerda’s hometown of Bielsko. Arthur, to three girls as they moved from the Jews had become more violent. 19, was sent to a slave labor camp in camp to camp: Ilse Kleinzähler, Yet U.S. immigration laws re- Russia. Notes written on scraps of Suse Kunz and Liesel Stepper. mained strict about the number of paper told of his survival until early In January 1945, they were four immigrants allowed into the coun- 1943. Gerda never learned where or among 2,000 female prisoners who try. In December 1938, Kurt’s par- how her brother died. were forced on a three-month ents were given a number for an Gerda and her parents, Julius “death march” from Germany to appointment to apply for a visa to and Helene, managed to stay Czechoslovakia. Only 127 women the United States. There were together for three years. They were survived the bitter cold, starvation 22,344 cases ahead of them. Kurt forced to live in the cellar of their and sadistic guards. Gerda’s three estimated it would take two and home and then in one room in a friends died. Gerda, weighing 68 half years before his parents’ turn small Jewish ghetto the Nazis estab- pounds, lived. would come. lished in Bielsko. On June 28, 1942, The first U.S. soldier she met As they waited, their situation

2 grew desperate. In October 1940, Gerda had not bathed in three FIND OUT they were deported to Vichy years, her hair had turned white France. Food in their detention and she was a skeletal shadow of a MORE camp was meager. Their diet was being when she met Lieutenant Read about Gerda Weissmann watery soup and bread. Kurt Klein, outside a factory where Klein’s war Kurt believed it was possible to the death march survivors had been experience in her get his parents to safety as long as placed. Whereas men in uniforms autobiography, All they were in unoccupied France. had represented brutality to Gerda, But My Life. Your But always there were obstacles, here was a soldier who treated her teacher has a copy for class use. Also caused chiefly by the indifference kindly. Kurt even politely opened provided is One of the U.S. State Department—an the door for her as she led him to Survivor Remembers, indifference that kept them and the other “ladies,” as he called a documentary about Gerda that other refugees from getting the nec- them—most barely alive. won an Academy Award® in 1996. essary documents to enter the U.S. The dream for Gerda blos- In September 1942, Kurt’s let- somed into reality. Kurt kept close ters to his parents were returned, watch over her dur- stamped “no forwarding address.” ing months of recov- Gerda Klein, a student volunteer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman pack bags at the Capital Area Two months later, he was drafted ery. On the day he Food Bank in Washington, D.C. into the U.S. army. That same month, told Gerda that his he received a note saying that visas unit had been called for his parents had been approved. back to the U.S., he As a soldier in Europe after the proposed marriage. war, Kurt discovered his parents’ In 1946, they were fate. They had been deported to wed in Paris. Auschwitz and had died there. The Kleins set- tled in Buffalo, New Real-Life Fairy Tale York. He became a During her years of suffering in the businessman, she camps, Gerda dreamed of being res- became a writer. cued. She also dreamed of love, Together they raised COURTESY OF OF DEPARTMENT U.S. AGRICULTURE marriage and having a family. That three children. shooting deaths there in 1999. she would find all of those longings Columbine students found kindred fulfilled by a U.S. army intelligence Activists Together spirits in Gerda and Kurt. The Kleins officer was extraordinary. That could have been enough. But understood the students’ loss and the experience of their early lives confusion over why they survived charged them to action. They were when their friends did not. And in determined to educate others the Kleins’ example that pain can 5 RULES about the dangers of intolerance be converted into positive action in to Live and Serve By unchecked. Their personal mission service to others, the students found also included supporting civic a focus for their own pain and grief. from Gerda and Kurt Klein activism to end hunger, a condition Kurt died in 2002, but Gerda • Never give up on your dreams. Gerda knew all too well during the continues to share their moving • Pain should not be wasted— war. They resolved to make young experiences—and call to action— use it for good. people the focus of their efforts to with students. She has spent much promote tolerance and respect of her life trying to ensure that what • Discover what you can do by doing for others. through education and community happened to her as a teenager does service, and they have spoken not happen to other generations of • Compassion and understanding are gifts everyone can give. before thousands of students across teens. She offers her story of sur- the United States. They traveled vival as inspiration—and she chal- • Show tolerance and welcome to Columbine High School in lenges every young person to make diversity, and you will greatly

enrich your life. Colorado following the tragic a difference by helping others. CHAGOLL BACKGROUND: USHMM, COURTESY LYDIA

3 TeTeens e n s MakingMaking aa DifferenceDifference How are teens getting involved in their communities? Here are students who have discovered that they can connect with others through service and make their own corner of the world a more tolerant, respectful and inclusive place.

kids I teach want to learn guitar Eric Hsiao, 15, and their families can’t afford les- Palo Alto, sons. For me, it’s a way of giving back for the opportunities I’ve California had. Volunteering opens your BRIDGING GENERATIONS eyes to what you can do as an THROUGH SERVICE individual for others.” ERIC volunteers with elderly residents of a nursing home near Megan Stewart, 18, where he lives. He helps Bronson, Kansas in the dining room with Helping the elderly is how Eric Hsiao PERFORMING TO PROMOTE serving and cleaning reaches out to the residents of his city. COURTESY ESTHER WOJCICKI COURTESY ESTHER TOLERANCE up, but mainly he MEGAN helped turn a National spends time with the residents, ence to older people, children and History Day project about Irena talking and listening. He started to others who need attention.” Sendler, a Polish Christian who fulfill a community-service require- saved hundreds of Jewish children ment at school and enjoyed his Joshua Williams, 18, in the Warsaw ghetto during World work so much that he has increased War II, into a dramatic perform- his visits. Andover, Massachusetts ance on Sendler and her heroism. “I volunteer about five or six SHARING THE COMMON She and her classmates have pre- hours a week because I like helping LANGUAGE OF MUSIC sented the piece as a service project others this way,” Eric explains. “But JOSH has been playing classical to schools and community groups if every teen just gave one hour a guitar since he was young. Through around Kansas, and beyond. week, it would make a big differ- a service program at his high school, The project has had a profound he has put his talent to work impact on Megan’s own attitude teaching guitar to dis- advantaged elemen- tary- and middle- school students in nearby Lawrence, Massachusetts. COURTESY JOSHUA WILLIAMS COURTESY JOSHUA “By the time you COURTESY MEGAN STEWART reach high school, everyone has something they’re passionate about,” Josh explains. “You can Joshua Williams used his talent and put that passion to A history project changed the way passion for music to help others. work for others. The Megan Stewart views her world.

4 toward intolerance. “When you country, to my family,” says learn about someone like Irena Jacqueline. “But genocide hap- Sendler, who stood up to injustice, pens—that’s where hate can you can’t walk away from it in your lead. When I talk to kids, I tell ROBERT COOPER own life. When I see kids make fun them that tolerance begins with of others now, I won’t let it go. And each person. You have to I’m not the only one. It has made a eliminate your own prejudice difference in our school that kids through education and by work- are working to be more accepting of ing to be open-minded.” others—and standing up to unac- ceptable behavior.” David Barnes, 16, David Barnes is working to get Panama City, Florida young people to vote. ENCOURAGING YOUNG VOTERS tration project for about two years.

DIAN LOFTON AND ACTIVISTS The target group is young people, Like many teens, DAVID can often age 18 and up, who are newly eligi- be found at the local mall. But in his ble to vote. “We try to spread the case, it’s staffing a booth registering word that to have a voice, you need people to vote. David is active with to vote,” David explains. local youth chapters of the NAACP “I think it’s important for stu- and the Southern Christian dents to get involved in their commu- Leadership Conference. He has nity,” he adds. “We’re almost adults. been volunteering on a voter regis- We’ll be the ones in charge soon.”

“Tolerance begins with each person,” says Jacqueline Murekatete. BALA CYNWYD SCHOOL, Jacqueline Murekatete, 18, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ending hunger one (foot) step Queens Village, New York at a time SPEAKING OUT ABOUT A MODERN TRAGEDYOFHATE YOU don’t have to go it alone in In 1995, JACQUELINE arrived in service. Many hands—or feet, in the COURTESY COURTESY THE KLEIN FOUNDATION the United States as an orphan, the case of the teens at this middle school—can work together to make a Philadelphia teens Emily Fox (left), Ben victim of genocide in her native difference. Rwanda. Hutus and Tutsis are the Stango (center) and fellow students used In 2003, Bala Cynwyd School a school musical to raise funds for food primary ethnic groups in that students met Gerda Klein. Deeply programs—this one serves children. Central African nation, and in the moved by her appeals to help the 1990s the Hutu government started hungry, they were inspired to use enlisted to autograph footsteps. a death campaign against the their annual theater production as a These were raffled off and the minority Tutsis. Most of Jacqueline’s fund-raiser to benefit food projects students raised more than $6,500. supported by the Klein Foundation. relatives, including her parents and Students then performed their Playing off the dance theme of the six siblings, were killed. She sur- show at a “Kids Café,” where musical Footloose, students created underprivileged children get free meals. vived because she went to school in neon-colored paper cutouts of Ben Stango, a student in the her grandmother’s village and was footsteps, complete with laces. For a show and on the fund-raising team, given shelter in a nearby orphanage donation of $1, kids could sign a foot summed up the impact of the run by Italian priests. and hang it in a hallway. To group’s work: “We were all not Today, she volunteers time in symbolize their goal of uniting to only driven by the excitement of a classrooms and at conferences to end hunger, every contributor tied performance, but also filled with the laces of his or her paper foot to speak out about the awful conse- the thought that we were going to the one next to it. quences of intolerance. “I never be a part of ‘Ending Hunger One In addition, celebrities were Step at a Time.’ ”

thought this could happen in my OF DEPARTMENT BACKGROUND: COURTESY U.S. AGRICULTURE

5 WhatWhat YouYou CanCan DoDo Taking Action to End HUNGER When ONE SURVIVOR REMEMBERS, the documentary about the life of Gerda Weissmann Klein, received an Oscar® at the 1996 Academy Awards ceremony, she was there. What was Gerda thinking about amid the celebrities and the celebration? Food. But not the fancy menus at the post-Oscar parties. She recalled the war, the death march and waiting her turn, battered bowl in Gerda Klein at the 1996 Academy Awards, where the documentary about her life

hand, hoping the ladle would dip deep enough so she’d get a won an Oscar. COURTESY THE KLEIN FOUNDATION potato along with the meager broth. “I don’t want children to live in a world where a potato is more valuable than an Oscar,” says Gerda. And “I don’t want children to be in a world where an Oscar is so important that you forget that there are people who do not have a potato.”

ORKING TO SOLVE THE regular basis, not having enough to for the unemployed. In nearly HUNGER ISSUE IS ONE eat at mealtime—not by choice but 40% of hungry households, at WOF THE GOALS OF THE because of lack of food resources— least one person holds a job. KLEIN FOUNDATION. Through are conditions of being hungry. And Since the early 1980s, when the education and advocacy, the they are experienced by an aston- nation’s economy took a dip, hunger Foundation challenges young peo- ishing number of people in a coun- has increased in America. That the ple to get involved. Hunger, after try bulging with food. booming 1990s did not correct the all, is a problem for children—13 One in 10 households in the trend is explained by a disturbing root million kids in the United States do United States is dealing with cause of hunger: Too many low-wage ILLUSTRATED ANDREW KAUFMAN/SPORTS not get enough to eat. And it is a hunger. That translates to more jobs do not pay an adequate living problem in every community in than 33 million people without wage. Food “is one cost in a monthly America. You can make a difference enough to eat. More than 23 million budget that can shrink,” says Dr. in ending hunger where you live. individuals seek help from a food Brown. People have to buy less food pantry or other charitable source of or cheaper, less-nutritious food to The Facts About Hunger food each year. make ends meet. Hunger is due to the inability to For many people, rising costs force purchase enough food to meet Why Hunger, in a difficult choices between paying for basic nutritional needs. You don’t Land of Plenty? shelter or for food; or, in the case of the have to be starving to be hungry. To answer that question, it’s impor- elderly, between expensive prescrip- Hunger in America does not look tant to dispel some myths: tion drugs or food. The result: Millions like scenes of gaunt children with • Hunger is not a problem of Americans are “food insecure.” swollen bellies. Hunger here can mainly for the homeless. More At the same time, federal pro- be much harder to spot, notes Dr. often, a household is hungry grams to feed the hungry, such as J. Larry Brown, director of the because the family has to make a nutrition programs for children and Center on Hunger and Poverty at choice between paying the mort- the elderly, are not reaching all those Brandeis University. gage or rent and eating. in need. According to data from the Missing a meal, not eating on a • Hunger is not a problem only Center on Hunger and Poverty, the

6 number of people visit- TAKING ACTION ing food shelters and IN YOUR soup kitchens is several million more than COMMUNITY those enrolled in the Here’s what you can do to help Department of Agri- the hungry—from the most culture’s Food Stamp immediate ways to pitch in to program. Investigate more far-reaching ideas. hunger and you’ll find • VOLUNTEER AT A SOUP that stories abound of KITCHEN OR FOOD PANTRY. individuals and families • REQUEST FOOD DONATIONS. that are overwhelmed by A supermarket in a New York City Require a can of food to enter a a myriad of challenges in neighborhood features a common sight: school sports event or other activity. their lives. And some peo- A sign accepting food stamps. • ORGANIZE A FOOD DRIVE. ple are too embarrassed Make it a class or club project. BILL PIERCE/TIME LIFE IMAGES PICTURES/GETTY or too proud to seek help. Hunger is a Dr. Brown points to school breakfast Hold a “Stop Hunger” rally to kick it off and get creative with points or complex and emotional issue. programs as an example. Many prizes for meeting food-drive goals. schools that would be eligible for fed- Losing Minds to Hunger eral funds to pay for free or reduced- • PARTICIPATE IN A LOCAL WALK OR RUN TO RAISE MONEY It’s often an administrative issue, too. price breakfast for students don’t FOR FOOD CHARITIES. If none offer morning meals. Why? exists in your community, start one. It may be the cost of chang- It can be anything that invites ing bus schedules to get kids participation. Try a read-a-thon of to school earlier. It may be stories and poems about food and helping those in need. paying for cafeteria staff to serve and clean up. It may • EDUCATE YOUR COMMUNITY be attitudes that say provid- ABOUT LOCAL HUNGER. Investigate hunger in your ing lunch is enough and community, and then get the word that children should be fed out. If your school has a cable breakfast at home. channel, plan a hunger-awareness But when there is no program to broadcast or create a breakfast to be had, learning video documentary to air. suffers. Research shows that • ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE IN when the body is hungry, YOUR SCHOOL. Are eligible the scarce nutritional students getting the breakfast and summer food programs available resources are used first to through federal funds? If not, why keep the major organs func- not? What changes are needed— tioning, then to gain or and how can they be made? maintain height and weight, Investigate and present your and third to support brain findings to school officials. activity that leads to learn- • ADVOCATE FOR POLICY ing. In very young children CHANGES. The hungry are not a powerful voice in state capitals or whose brains are growing our nation’s capital. They need rapidly, particularly in the champions to press for changes to first three years, the conse- end hunger, such as more funds for quences of hunger can be food programs and simplified tragic. Children born with procedures for enrollment. Explore normal brain functioning issues and problems in your area, and then take your concerns to David Leavitt of Pinellas, Florida, started a can be learning-impaired elected officials—state and federal. program to take leftover school cafeteria food for life simply because they Write letters or, better yet, meet and give it to food pantries. didn’t get enough to eat. with them in person. BACKGROUND: BACKGROUND: INDEX STOCK/NEWSCOM

7 TheThe Activist’sActivist’s PlannerPlanner Ready to get started with service? Or motivated to expand the service projects you are already doing? Here are tips and ideas.

Service Success Tips • Helping in an animal shelter or • Volunteer for projects you with an animal-rescue group care about. You’ll give more and • What else? Check out the online enjoy it more when you devote your resources below! time and energy to something that matters to you. Remember the Resources for Ideas BOB DAEMMRICH/THE IMAGE WORKS advice of Massachusetts teen Joshua and Activism • America’s Promise: Williams: Everyone has something • Klein Foundation: www.americaspromise.org they are passionate about. Think www.kleinfoundation.org Founded in 1997, with then General about how you can turn an interest Find out about programs and Colin Powell as the first chair, into an avenue for service. projects to end hunger and promote America’s Promise is a group of • Team up with friends and tolerance, including a step-by-step national organizations committed to classmates. You can often do more guide to community-service activities. the nation’s children. Click “Youth working together; and you will Action” for ways that teens can • kNOw Hunger: inspire and motivate each other. make a difference. www.knowhunger.org Consider starting a service club in Get ideas and information for your school as a way for teens to • VolunteerMatch: advocacy efforts to fight hunger at connect. www.volunteermatch.org this site sponsored by the Klein • Commit to what you can do. This nonprofit online service is Foundation, with links to the You don’t have to turn service into dedicated to helping volunteers “get Center on Hunger and Poverty. your life—unless you want to. out and do good.” Enter your zip code to find out who needs help Give whatever time you can. What Kids Can Do: • in your area, including specific What’s important is keeping the www.whatkidscando.org opportunities for teen volunteers. commitment you make. This national nonprofit group was More Ways to founded in 2001 to list ways that • Network for Good: Make a Difference students are working to improve www.networkforgood.org their communities through service. Check out the Youth Volunteer The ideas in this issue are only Find out what other teens are doing Network for real teens’ service places to start with service. How around the United States through stories and ways to get involved. else can you help? Here are its feature stories and links to other common needs in just about service sites. • Youth Noise: every community. Consider: www.youthnoise.com • Environmental cleanups Connect here for “Take Action” • Assisting in local hospitals routes to service and advocacy. • Painting, repair and yard-work projects in poorer neighborhoods • Tutoring kids or adults who can’t Tell Us About Your read Service Project and Activism Coaching a sport through an after- STOCK MYRLEEN CATE/INDEX • E-mail [email protected] school or community program and describe what your class, your • Volunteering as a companion to a club or you on your own are doing younger child through a big to help others. Please include your brother/big sister project name, school, city and state. COVER: TOP LEFT: MICHAEL EDIT; NEWMAN/PHOTO TOP MCLAUGHLIN/THE RIGHT: IMAGE TONY WORKS FREEMAN/PHOTO; BOTTOM: KATHY Special Thanks to: American Italian Pasta Company, The Sidney Kimmel Foundation, 8 Righteous Persons Foundation, Sager Family Traveling Foundation, The Maxwell Strawbridge Charitable Trust, and Tim & Kristin Webster Family Foundation.