Noah Ogata, a Kindergartener at Lumbini Child Development Center in Downtown L.A., is proving it's never too early to give back to the community. Noah is the founder and director of Project Star, a support program focused on collecting and distributing blankets for the homeless in L.A. With help from his family, he is collecting blankets from any willing donor, and will soon distribute them to those in need on L.A.'s streets and in shelters.
Since his mother started driving him to Lumbini two years ago, Noah, has traveled past throngs of homeless men and women daily while on his way to school. It wasn't long before the five-year-old became concerned about the people that he saw sleeping on the streets with no shelter or blankets. Wanting to help, he thought that giving blankets could be a first step.
His grandmother, a retired elementary school teacher, encouraged him to make a flier asking for blanket donations from friends and family so that he may give them to the homeless. With help from his mother, Wendy Tamaki-Ogata, a counselor with the Homeless Education and Teen Parent Program through LAUSD, Project Star fliers have been circulating around the early education community.
Since its inception a few weeks ago, Project Star has received 25 blankets, but his mother anticipates that Noah will gather quite a few more once folks have enough time to identify blankets they are willing to donate. Click here to download a copy of the Noah's flier.
What is your favorite book?
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
What makes you happy?
Lots and lots of kisses, and when my parents are with me.
What makes you sad?
When my parents are not with me.
What makes people sad?
People get sad because they don't have kids. They don't have anyone to live with!
What is your favorite thing to do with your family?
Project Star - getting blankets for people that don't have blankets. And going to the Aquarium (of the Pacific) to see the sharks, stingrays, and birds.
What will you be for Halloween? Why?
The Red Power Ranger because he fights bad guys and then people are safer. |
