Many of you may remember the Clifford The Big Red Dog: BE BIG In Your Community Contest I posted about a few months ago. The national contest invited everyone to submit a BIG idea that demonstrates Clifford’s Big Ideas (Share, Help Others, Be Kind, Be Responsible, Play Fair, Be a Good Friend, Believe in Yourself, Have Respect, Work Together and Be Truthful) to enter for a chance to win a community grant to be used toward implementing the winning proposals. Well, the winners have been chosen and I wanted to share with you the winning ideas.


The winning BIG idea came from 12-year old Madelon Kerns, a West Virginia student who proposed a special needs accessible playground. Madelon will be awarded the $25,000 grant from the BE BIG Fund and will see her idea of a special needs accessible playground come to life with the support of the Volunteer Action Center of the Mid-Ohio Valley, an affiliate of the HandsOn Network.


Can you imagine--a 12 year old came up with that? This little girl is so inspiring--she got her BIG idea when she was unable to play in the local park with a friend who is in a wheelchair. Her inspiration? Clifford The Big Red Dog. “I’m thrilled and excited about this BIG prize,” said Madelon. “Clifford understands that all kids like to have fun – no matter what!” It just shows that BIG ideas can come from all of us--big or little!

Ten additional BIG ideas will each be awarded $2,500 Runners Up community grants:
• WATERLOO, IA: Mike Lind and his team will be working with the Volunteer Center of Cedar
Valley on his BIG Idea for a “Mobile Food Pantry.”
• ASHEVILLE, NC: Susan Jensen will be working with Hands On Asheville-Buncombe to create her “Readers’ Oasis.”
• PHOENIX, AZ: Darren Chapman and his team will be working with HandsOn Greater Phoenix to keep his “Organic Gardening” project active in his community.
• CEDAR RAPIDS, IA: Ian Watt and his team will be working with the United Way of Central Iowa to bring his “Music Mentoring” program to the forefront.
• NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR: Mattie Thacker and her team from the Mayor’s Youth Council will be working with the Heart of Arkansas United Way to make progress on their “Picture Perfect Summer” project.
• HILO, HI: Suzanne Nozaki and her team of students will be working with Children for Children to make their “Eat Your Lawn” project a reality.
• CORAL GABLES, FL: Adrianne Lage will work with Hands On Miami to bring her two passions of kids and the sun together to make a BIG change with her “Sun Smiles” project.
• WILTON, CT: Joseph A. Fiore will work with the Volunteer Center serving Western Connecticut to make his “Adopt a Grandparent” program a priority in local schools.
• BURNSVILLE, MN: Fay Finn and her team of students will continue their work on the “Brainpower in a Backpack” program with HandsOn Twin Cities.
• SAN DIEGO, CA: Skyler Pinto will work on continuing his peace pledge and create “Kids Care Packs” for children in homeless shelters and hospitals with the help of Excel Youth Zone.