Sarah Masternick spent her Saturday afternoon tying ice skates and spinning kids on the ice.
The elementary education junior volunteers along with about 40 MSU students through Meridian Township Police Department’s Spartan Buddies program.
The program, which pairs elementary-aged students with college-aged mentors, was started nine years ago by Meridian Township police officer Gayelord Mankowski.
“We found we didn’t have much success with the adults, so we decided to do things with the kids,” he said.
Spartan Buddies began at Wardcliff Elementary School for children in need.
The children were paired with an MSU student who spent an hour a week with a child from the school.
Now the program extends to any child interested in participating. But Mankowski said he needs more MSU student volunteers.
“I get more kids then we have MSU volunteers,” he said.
Manskowski said he could add 20 more children to the program if he had the volunteers. He wants to start a group at Grand River Elementary School in Lansing.
“If there are children in need, why not spread the love,” he said.
Masternick said she joined the program because she wanted to get involved in working with kids.
“It’s fun to give the kids an opportunity to go out and do things in their community,” she said.
“We invite them over for pizza night, to watch a movie or just go on a walk.”
Once a month Mankowski organizes a big event for the kids and their Spartan Buddies through donations from local businesses. Saturday the group went to Arc Ice Sports, 2810 Hannah Blvd., to spend the afternoon ice skating.
Angel Baker, a third-grader at Wardcliff Elementary, has been in the program for four years.
“We do fun things like go to their homes and play games, like Ping-Pong and pool,” she said.
Lisa Zimmerman, a Spanish education junior, is Angel’s buddy. She’s been a buddy for two years.
“The best part is spending time with someone younger than you,” Zimmerman said.
“There aren’t any worries - it’s refreshing.”
Volunteers are given a background criminal check and a questionnaire to match them up with a child most compatible with them.
“Some buddies take kids home for holidays or the kids go to their buddy’s graduation,” Mankowski said. “I kind of think we are doing something nobody else has done.”
Students interested in volunteering can page Mankowski at (517)794-2378.
