Program Earns Kids’ Interest Copy Kids Learn The Value Of A Dollar

Getting his very own savings account was worth a week of pulling weeds and painting over graffiti to Kris Rice.

The 11-year-old Grant Elementary School student was among 35 youths who finished a week-long program Thursday called Community Opportunity Programs for Youth - or COPY Kids sponsored by the Spokane Police Department.

After touring area businesses and sprucing up city parks, the 11- to 15-year-olds ended the week with a reward: $40 deposited to a savings account in their name.

“I’m going to use some of it to take my girlfriend to a movie,” Rice informed several police officers at the Seafirst Bank on 29th Avenue. “And I’m going to buy her something nice, you know.”

But like many of his fellow COPY Kids, Rice pledged to save most of the money.

“For college,” he said with a wink. “That kind of thing.”

The money was donated by area businesses that support the COPY Kids program, which runs for nine weeks each summer and has about 40 youths in each session.

The department looks for children who “may need positive role models in their lives,” said Lt. Rex Olson, a program organizer. Officers spend time with the kids on decision-making, anger management and nutrition and take the youths to meet business professionals in all fields, he said.

“They learn to work together and that there are alternatives to things like drugs and dropping out of school,” Olson said.

Olson said the program helps kids take pride in their community by putting them to work on team projects such as pulling weeds at local parks and covering up graffiti.

“It was fun,” said Daniel Shafer, 12. He waved his new bank book and grinned, “I’m saving for a go-cart.”

Ashley Andrews said she’ll head to NorthTown Mall with enough of her $40 to buy two shirts for school.

Terence Pope wants to keep socking away more money until next year, when he plans to buy a special NBA uniform for Hoopfest.

“The jersey’s $30, but I have to buy shorts, too,” said Pope, 12. “Stuff’s expensive.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo