Leucadia Kids for Peace helps those in need

The Leucadia chapter of Kids for Peace created cards with warm words and pictures on Jan. 31 for seniors who don’t leave their homes. It’s just one act of kindness the group has spearheaded since forming seven years ago.

Now with chapters all over the world, Kids for Peace started in 2006 in Carlsbad. When Delores Loedel, Leucadia chapter leader, read a newspaper article about the Carlsbad group, she was inspired to start another chapter.

“I was thinking, ‘That’s a really nice way for my kids to get involved in something other than school or sports,’” she said during the Jan. 31 meetup, which was at her house.

“I just wanted them to think about others and how they can make a difference.”

Now, the Leucadia chapter, started in 2008, has about 20 kids who regularly help out. The group meets about 10 times a year, taking part in everything from food drives to Christmas caroling for seniors to making “peace packs” — knapsacks containing toiletries and school supplies — for children in Uganda.

Their mission revolves around social justice, environmental causes and charitable events — anything that helps create peace.

Of all the chapter’s events, her son, Michael Loedel, said he particularly enjoyed participating in Hands of Peace. That organization brings together Jewish, Palestinian and Christian youths from Israel, the West Bank and U.S. to bolster dialogue and friendships.

“It was positive — you could see the difference it was making immediately,” he said.

Oftentimes, charities in need will ask the group for assistance. It also partners with other chapters, like when Leucadia and Carlsbad teamed up two months ago to feed 100 people at Bread of Life Mission, an Oceanside nonprofit dedicated to serving meals to the poor and homeless.

The kids also determine which causes to take up.

Zach Bujarski, 12, a regular at meetups, echoed other kids there by saying he enjoys providing food to homeless shelters.

“I’ll probably ask that we do that in the next couple months,” Bujarski said while sitting at the Loedels’ dining room table and drawing a colorful card that will go to seniors.

He went on to say: “You’re helping people and you can see it makes them happy.”

The Leucadia chapter is actively seeking participants. To learn more or get involved, visit www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org.