United Way: Count the essay winners

When the Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Star Tribune asked local elementary students to write essays about how everyone counts, they immediately understood it wasn't a question about math.

Hundreds of students in grades three through five wrote essays about how little, everyday acts -- from smiling at the new kid in school, to raking the yard of an elderly person, to treating others with respect -- can make our communities welcoming, inclusive and stronger.

Some of the students wrote about how they'd like to change the world; others wrote about what they were already doing to improve their neighborhoods. But it was clear from their essays that they all understood the golden rule in action.

"When you help someone you help yourself," wrote one fourth-grader.

First-place winner Emerson Peaslee will receive a $500 savings bond. The nine runners-up -- Gracie Tilney-Kaemmer, Ahmad Abdirahman, Ruby Mae Miller, Winter Craig, Lucy Yang, Catherine Woods, Jacob Sonnek, Beth Thelen and Nicholas Wallenhorst -- will each receive a $100 savings bond.

Recently, my neighbors abandoned their house. It looked horrible. One of the other neighbors just started picking up the yard. She said it was in our neighborhood and if we all just do a part, we can make it better. That inspired me.

My sister and I decided to pick up trash around the neighborhood. Our neighbor was our role model. We visited every yard and when we got to the abandoned house we picked up a bunch of old, broken glass bottles.

I believe everyone counts because somehow everyone relies on someone else. It's like a chain reaction. If one person isn't in the world, it's a different place. Say the president was all alone in the government. He wouldn't get anything done to help others. He would just be a rich man who can't do anything for others. We can do some things alone, but the most important things you must do with a friend who you trust and love. If what everyone needs is a friend, I think we can give food, shelter and friendship to those in need.

Every one counts: homeless, children, mothers and fathers all count. On Earth even a sad face can turn the world upside down. With every frown an imbalance occurs. I think happiness is key and everyone should help each other.

Living in Minnesota, I have seen a lot of homeless children and helpless people. Everyone is not perfect -- even my family has faced hard times -- but I was taught to deal with every problem carefully and things happen once in a while.

When I grow up, I want to be able to help everyone. I want to do something that changes a life, even if it is a small gesture. It's always a good thing to start little, and as a third grader, I have started already. Because I believe every one counts and every smile makes a difference.

I've learned that all people matter. I once helped my friend rake her yard when her dad was sick. He was very grateful; I felt happy, too. After, I wanted to rake other people's yards. I felt good about helping. I think everybody matters. This is everybody's world and everyone should enjoy life.

Yes, we have different things about us that make us interesting, but we shouldn't be treated differently. Sometimes kids and even adults think they are more important than others, but they are always, always wrong.

So if you have someone you know that you don't like one bit, you still need to treat them the way you would your best friend. Every single person counts, so treat them with respect and kindness and they will probably do the same.

So when you help someone, you help yourself.

Why is everyone important, you ask? Well, let me show you a little task.

The firefighters save you from a fire, and mechanics replace your flat tires.

Doctors help you keep away from death, and dentists help your teeth and breath.

The bank tells you if you have money, and the weatherman tells you if it will be sunny!

So if you're having a sad day, remember be glad because you count in our community. We help, not yelp! Everyone is important here! That's our town of Bloomington!

On the way to school, I see drops of dew on the grass and a lake. When I get back, the dew is gone, but the lake is still there. Why? A lake is made by a lot of drops of water. Everyone is like a drop of water. When you are apart, you're weak, like a drop of water evaporating quickly. When everyone joins together, the community is stronger, just like a lake.

Everybody can help the needy people. Donate clothes, volunteer at food shelters, raise money for charities. Every person can make a difference to save a life.

I do a food shelf project through my church. The food shelf needs a lot of donations to keep it going. Everyone who helps the food shelf counts. It wouldn't be there without us.

A lot of people fall down. Let's help them get up.

Our school does many projects for our community. My favorite project is our service marathon. We rake leaves for people who are not able to rake them. The kindergartners make crafts for people at the nursing home.

Another project we do is donate food to the food shelf. Every other week, we bring in goods and donate them to the food shelf. Every person who brings food can wear whatever they want.

We also visit elderly at Encore. Encore is an adult daycare. At Encore, we play games, such as bingo and card games.

Every individual is very important. Each one of us is called by our own names to come to Earth and make a difference.

Our goal is to help others. Even just a smile can make another feel great. Mark Twain once said, "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."

Everyone can easily do at least one small act of kindness a day. If they do, kindness will spread to others, and that will create a better community for everyone on Earth.