Cody's Wish

Written by: Janaya Roes '11  
       

            December is the season of giving. Giving toys to children, gifts to love ones, and to those in need. Cody Chapman, an Eaton Rapids alumnus, began the program that soon became known as “Cody’s Wish.” Chapman made a proposal to Interact, detailing his idea about providing Christmas gifts to children in our local community that otherwise would not have any gifts, and to help people out in their time of need during the holidays.
          “I started Cody's Wish when I saw my Mom bring home one of the Salvation Army angels and thought it was a really cool idea,” said Chapman. “I wanted to do something like that for Christmas and thought getting something like that started at the school would work really well.” This once little idea, has worked out so well that the Eaton Rapids High School has continued this program now for four consecutive years.
           The name of the project was exactly what Cody did, he made a wish to help others, but Chapman believes the name should be changed. “If I were to change anything I suppose it would be the name. As much as I love my name, I think it would be better and last longer with a name more related to the project,” said Chapman.

          Interact decided to keep the name being that Chapman was the one who initiated the idea and the group feels he should receive the credit.
           The impact of Cody’s Wish was huge in the school. As word spread, sports teams, clubs, and individuals took a part in giving back to the community. Some of the groups involved this year are: The Bark, Yearbook, Student Council, and the High School custodians. Members of these groups chose a child from Mrs. Trudgeon our librarian, donated a couple dollars each, and then bought items that the child had asked for. Everybody remains anonymous with their gifts and to who they are going too. In a way, its like Secret Santa.
            As head of Interact, Mrs. Stacy Surato plays a big part in helping, organizing, and colleting the gifts. She compiled lists of all the children in need and created sheets with each child’s age and the gifts they wished for. “It honestly wouldn't have happened without her,” said Chapman. Surato was the right person for Cody to go to with his proposition. She was able to get it started in the right direction.
            Chapman hopes the giving will continue in our school and feels that as long as someone has the notion to pick up the idea and carry it forward, Cody’s Wish will continue on for years to come. Though he is no longer at the high school he is proud of what Interact, the students, and the staff’s efforts continue to do. Many kids in the Charlotte and Eaton Rapids areas have received presents from one honorable students’ wish.