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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Anna Andruzak knows value of giving back

Anna Andruzak helps distribute school supplies and backpacks to underprivileged kids. (Photo by Patty Hutchens / The Spokesman-Review)
Patty Hutchens Correspondent

SANDPOINT – Angels come in all forms. For many underprivileged North Idaho kids, one of their angels is 13-year-old Anna Andruzak of Sandpoint. Each year Anna volunteers much of her time to Angels Over Sandpoint, a service organization which helps people in the Sandpoint community with a variety of needs.

Anna’s biggest contribution to the organization is her participation in the school backpack program. For the past six years, the group has put together backpacks filled with school supplies for less-fortunate schoolchildren in the area.

“The day we hand them out is the best because I love to see the look on their (the kids) faces,” said Anna. “It’s like Christmas all over again.”

Anna helps distribute letters seeking contributions from area businesses to purchase supplies. Last year the group distributed 856 backpacks. Their goal this year is more than 900, and Anna intends to be there every step of the way.

“Living in such a small place you really don’t think there’s much poverty,” said Anna, who adds she is surprised at how big the need is. “It really feels good to help other people.”

In addition to helping solicit donations, pick up supplies, and assemble and distribute the backpacks, Anna attends all of the Angels Over Sandpoint meetings and helps set up and clean up after fundraisers throughout the year.

When Anna is not busy with her volunteer activities, her sports and academics keep her busy. A member of the Sandpoint Strikers Soccer Club for the past three years, Anna enjoys the friendships she has made while participating in a team sport.

“Our whole team really works well together helping each other out so we can all get better,” said Anna, who plays defense but emphasizes that every position on the field is an important one. “We were league champions last year.”

With soccer practice three times a week and games on the weekends, Anna said it is sometimes difficult to juggle all of her schoolwork and activities, but she would not give up anything. Last year, in seventh grade, Anna had straight-As with the exception of two B-plus marks.

One school activity that has brought personal growth to Anna and her friends is a program introduced last year to Sandpoint Middle School called Rachel’s Challenge. It is a program started by the family of Rachel Scott, one of the young students killed in the Columbine school shooting nine years ago. Scott’s brother, Craig, came to speak to the school about his sister’s mission of wanting to start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion.

“Starting a chain reaction of good impacts many people’s lives,” said Anna. “Ever since Rachel’s Challenge all the cliques in our school have gone away.”

As part of Rachel’s Challenge, groups of students formed what are referred to as chain reaction teams. Anna and the others on the teams introduce new students to teachers and fellow students and make sure they feel welcome in their new surroundings.

“We invite them to eat lunch with us,” said Anna, who emphasizes that it is the differences in people that should be celebrated and not be made fun of.

“We (who took part in Rachel’s Challenge) realized we are all different and it does not matter what clothes we wear, it’s about accepting people for who they are,” said Anna.

One activity which Anna hopes to pursue even more in the future is theater. About three years ago Anna took part in a play at Sandpoint High School and developed a passion for acting, and now intends to make it her career.

In addition to being involved in the Missoula Children’s Theater, which comes to Sandpoint each year, Anna also attends a theater camp in Sagle, Idaho, for two weeks each summer. She enjoys being able to act and perform improvisations with her fellow campers. At the end of the camp, Anna said the kids all put on a talent show.

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As she enters the eighth grade, Anna said she has realized already the importance of giving back to the community in which you live and encourages other kids her age to do what they can.

“Kids may not want to, but they really should help out their community,” said Anna, who said it can be something as simple as bringing some food to the food bank or a big project like the school backpack project. Either way, the end result is the same. “To give back to the community gives you a great feeling,” she said.