Magazine helps students raise money for Toys for Tots

The young contributing writers for the Flathead Valley-based publication "Little Blessings" wrestle with the same challenges that face most writers - story ideas, punctuation, proper grammar and meeting deadlines.

But deadlines are the toughest part of the monthly project, many of the staffers confided.

"Little Blessings" began a year ago when sixth-grader Ellery Luikens decided to start her own publication after being turned down as a contributor to another similar newsletter.

"We wanted a magazine where everyone can write their ideas," she said.

Luikens, a homeschool student, networked with her friends at Trinity Lutheran Church and other local homeschoolers and quickly found several youngsters who wanted to be part of the cooperative project. As the young writers sent copies to friends and relatives, the publication's popularity began to grow.

"I sent copies to all the friends and people I know," said Kiera Roberson, one of the lead writers. "It's a great way to express yourself."

A core group of about a dozen homeschoolers provides much of the content each month. There are regular columnists such as Noah Riley, who pens "Noah's Nature Notes" and draws accompanying pictures of animals. Olivia Van Fleet is in charge of the popular Secret Code page that challenges young sleuths to solve various coded messages. Van Fleet also writes a monthly column about bird watching.

Mothers and grandmothers contribute recipes, words of wisdom and entertaining stories of bygone days.

Children from other states send in items, as do students from Kalispell-area schools.

The mailing list for "Little Blessings" has grown to about 70 subscribers.

Copies have been sent far and wide, Luikens said, to such places as North Dakota and Macedonia.

All of the proceeds for the year were donated recently to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Some of the "Little Blessings" staff presented a check for $250 to Toys for Tots before Christmas, and got a tour of the toy center as an added bonus. The Marine Corps Reserve started the program in 1947, and over the years Marines have distributed more than 332.5 million toys to nearly 159 million needy children.

As they pondered which charity to select, the youths decided that children helping children seemed like a good idea.

Luikens' mother, Leslie, helps edit the articles and oversees the content. She also has subsidized the cost of paper and printing, so that more money can be given to the charity. Other parents chip in, too. Roberson's family owns a print shop and helps tasks such as collating and stapling, and will supply paper in the coming year.

"It's hugely nature-oriented," Leslie Luikens said about the content of the publication.

"Little Blessings" also has a Christian theme, and contributors are reminded that the intent of the newsletter is to "be a blessing to others."

Regular contributor Logan Van Fleet said writing for the magazine has helped improve his grammar.

"It really helps how you write," he said. "It's fun to know you can help other little kids."

Anyone wanting a subscription to "Little Blessings" can get a complimentary copy by calling Luikens at 257-8856.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.