KIDS/SNEAK PEEK : EARTH 2000 SHOWS KIDS' STRONG BELIEF IN FUTURE.On Earth Day 1989, just after his 12th birthday, Danny Seo enlisted a handful of neighborhood kids from his hometown in Pennsylvania to help him with projects designed to make the world a better place in which to live. Called Earth 2000, the kids organized a series of ``crusades'': they recycled aluminum, planted trees and promoted vegetarianism vegetarianism, theory and practice of eating only fruits and vegetables, thus excluding animal flesh, fish, or fowl and often butter, eggs, and milk. In a strict vegetarian, or vegan, diet (i.e. among their friends. The group's activities caught on with others and, today, Earth 2000 boasts 20,000 members who have battled with developers, launched anti-fur boycotts and generally bucked the image of the young as apathetic ap·a·thet·ic adj. Lacking interest or concern; indifferent. ap  a·thet . ``Young people care about their futures and want to do more than just wear a pin declaring `Save the whales,' '' says Seo, now 20. To inspire others to get on the bandwagon, Seo has written a how-to book for would-be activists. ``Generation React: Activism for Beginners,'' (Ballantine; $10.95 paperback) gives a bit of Seo's background and offers tips on organizing, raising money, promotion and lobbying. For example, under fund raising, Seo suggests skipping the car washes and moving straight to the big-money payoffs, such as asking malls for fountain coins, consigning old clothing, selling trees and holding raffles. Seo also urges kids to read the newspaper and watch the news - to basically stay informed. His own activism was spurred by a TV talk-show guest, Ingrid Newkirk Ingrid Newkirk (born July 11, 1949) is a British-born animal rights activist, author, and president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal rights organization. , founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is an international nonprofit organization that supports Animal Rights and has spawned a tremendous amount of conflict and controversy from its inception. . After listening to Newkirk, Seo vomited a chicken salad sandwich he'd been eating and vowed to do something for animals. The foreword in the book is written by ``Melrose Place'' star Andrew Shue Andrew Shue (born February 20, 1967 in Wilmington, Delaware U.S.) is an actor, perhaps best known for his role on Melrose Place (1992–1998). Andrew is the brother of actress Elisabeth Shue. He has been married since 1994 and has two children. , who co-founded Do Something, which grants monetary awards to kids who make meaningful contributions to their communities. ``Whether change means working with seniors or protecting the environment,'' Shue writes, ``it occurs locally, and everyone has the power to create it.'' Fur won't fly in fashion show Hollywood-based Actors and Others for Animals is sponsoring an essay contest for local kids. The writer who best illustrates the ``joys, wonders and lessons of love that animals bring'' wins a walk-on during a celebrity fashion show at the Universal City Hilton on Oct. 4 and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond Savings bond A government bond issued in face value denominations from $50 to $10,000, with local and state tax-free interest and semiannually adjusted interest rates. savings bond A nonmarketable security issued by the U.S. . Loretta Swit Loretta Swit (born November 4 1937) is an American stage and television actress best known for her two-time Emmy-winning portrayal of Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan on M*A*S*H. Swit was born in Passaic, New Jersey, U.S., to Polish-Catholic immigrants. , Earl Holliman and JoAnne Worley will be among those judging the entries. Children 10 to 14 are eligible to compete. Essays, which can be typed or legibly handwritten hand·write tr.v. hand·wrote , hand·writ·ten , hand·writ·ing, hand·writes To write by hand. [Back-formation from handwritten.] Adj. 1. , should be 100 to 150 words in length and address the theme ``What Animals Have Taught Me.'' Send submissions to ``Compassion Begins With Kids,'' P.O. Box 33473, Granada Hills, Calif. 91394 by Sept. 10. Multiple submissions accepted. No previously published work is eligible. Call (818) 971-7059 for more information. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Danny Seo founded Earth 2000. |
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