Greg Mortenson

Tori Delgado, 9, daughter of Julian Delgado of southeast Cherokee and Sonya Groom of Canton, displays some of the pennies she has started collecting along with her informational board for the Pennies for Peace drive.

For third-grader Victoria “Tori” Delgado, helping less fortunate children in her community has been a lifelong passion.

Now, Tori, the 9-year-old daughter of Julian Delgado of southeast Cherokee and Sonya Groom of Canton, is ready to expand her reach beyond the borders of the United States.

Tori is coordinating a Pennies for Peace drive at Avery Elementary School where she is a student.

Tori is asking students, faculty and staff at the east Cherokee school from Feb. 23 to March 6 to donate pennies to the fundraiser, which is a program of the Central Asia Institute. The institute works to improve educational opportunities for children in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Buckets for donations will be placed in classrooms and other locations throughout the school.

Tori first approached Principal Dr. Georgann Toop and Assistant Principal Christian Kirby with her fundraising idea last school year. She then pitched her idea to the Student Council, which approved her request last September.

Kirby said he and Dr. Toop immediately liked Tori’s idea.

“We loved the idea,” he said. “The Student Council was also very excited about it.”

Tori said she has a goal to raise $500 in pennies. She was inspired after her father talked with her about the book, “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time,’ by Greg Mortenson.

The book recounts the author’s attempt to establish schools in some of the most remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“I thought it would be a great idea to help other kids,” she said.

Delgado said he felt inspired to share the story after hearing Mortenson speak at Atlanta’s The Carter Center.

Delgado said he wasn’t surprised at his daughter’s ambition.

“Tori has a big heart,” he said. “She just loves doing things for other people, namely kids.”

Both Tori and her father have a passion for helping underprivileged youths, and volunteer to tutor children in first, second and third grades.

Tori said she hopes her fellow students will want to help other kids who don’t have the opportunity to enjoy learning in a classroom.

Delgado said he hopes his daughter continues her mission of helping others.

“I just want her to have a lifelong interest in helping people who aren’t as fortunate as she is,” he said.

© 2009 Cherokee Tribune

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