PIERCE STUDENT LAUNCHES TOY DRIVE.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer WOODLAND HILLS - Pierce College's student body president is spearheading a children's toy and book drive to bring a little holiday cheer to hospitalized kids. ``I can't imagine being a child, and having to be hospitalized at Christmas,'' said Erik Gholson Williams, 34, of Canoga Park. Williams knows first-hand what it's like to spend months in the hospital. In April 1997, he was working for a supermarket in Salt Lake City, when he was hit by a car and paralyzed par·a·lyze tr.v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es 1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic. 2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear. from the chest down. ``It was tough, but it was a blessing,'' said Williams, who uses a wheelchair and has limited use of his arms. ``I think it's what I had to go through to be where I'm at today.'' He spent months recovering and going through rehabilitation programs, and drew encouragement from the pediatric patients pediatric patient Child, see there he met along the way. And inspired by his two daughters, Alexis, 11, and Jasmihn, 9, he started Living Our Real Dream Inc., a not-for-profit company designed to teach children about character issues. Williams' group and Pierce's Associated Students Organization are trying to collect at least 300 toys and 175 children's books by next Friday Next Friday is the 2000 sequel to Friday , which depicts the neighborhood of South Los Angeles in a comedic sense. The hero, Craig Jones (Ice Cube), leaves home and moves in with his lottery winning and sex-crazed Uncle Elroy (Don "D.C." Curry) in Rancho Cucamonga. to donate to the pediatric pediatric /pe·di·at·ric/ (pe?de-at´rik) pertaining to the health of children. pe·di·at·ric adj. Of or relating to pediatrics. unit at Northridge Hospital Medical Center Northridge Hospital Medical Center is a hospital in the Northridge town of Los Angeles, California, USA. It is currently operated by Catholic Healthcare West. History The hospital was founded in 1955 by Dr. . Collection boxes have been set up in the Pierce administration building and campus bookstore. Characters from ``The Beautiful World,'' a children's show that he wrote, will deliver the presents before Christmas and read stories to the young patients, said Williams, who plans to graduate in June with a degree in business. ``It's good for people in our community to sponsor activities like this and bring it to the hospital. It makes these young kids see that people in the community really care about them,'' said Kathleen Alfe, the hospital's clinical director for children's services. ``A lot of our patients come from low-income families, and it really brightens up their day.'' Brad Saenz, ASO ASO arteriosclerosis obliterans. ASO 1 Administrative services organization, see there 2 Allele-specific–oligonucleotide hybridization 3 Anti-streptolysin O, see there adviser and Pierce English professor, said Williams was a strong and determined leader on campus. Most of the student government leaders graduated from Pierce last year, forcing Williams to recruit an all-new student government team. ``He's a really good motivator for the other students,'' Saenz said. ``He's very cordial cordial: see liqueur. and easy-going eas·y·go·ing also eas·y-go·ing adj. 1. a. Living without undue worry or concern; calm. b. Lax or negligent; careless. c. , a real professional, but he's not overbearing o·ver·bear·ing adj. 1. Domineering in manner; arrogant: an overbearing person. See Synonyms at dictatorial. 2. Overwhelming in power or significance; predominant. . A lot of people who are in positions of power might be good leaders or good organizers, but might not be the best when it comes to getting along with other people.'' Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com HOW TO HELP For more information on the toy drive, call (818) 992-5662 or visit www.livingourrealdreams.com CAPTION(S): box Box: HOW TO HELP (see text) |
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