Voorheesville fourth-grader helps keep smiles bright in Thailand

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and R.J. Bauer wants to make sure it stays that way.

R.J., a fourth-grader at Voorheesville Elementary School, was born in Thailand and traveled there with his family during the recent winter recess. Before going, however, R.J. decided to bring a gift, and after some consideration settled upon toothbrushes for underprivileged children, according to his mother, Kim Bauer.

R.J. knew he couldn't do it on his own, so he asked for help from his classmates, teachers and others in the Voorheesville community. He spoke at a school assembly, asking everyone to donate toothbrushes, and a notice requesting donations was placed in the Bugler, the school’s weekly newsletter.

School officials placed a collection box in the elementary school’s main office, and by the time R.J. and his family were ready to go, they had close to 900 toothbrushes to bring, Bauer said.

“I thought maybe we would get 200, but we ended up with about 870 toothbrushes. Everyone was so generous, which was just fantastic,” she said.

The toothbrushes were packed into large plastic bags, and each member of R.J.’s family had at least two bags in their suitcase. When the family arrived in Thailand, the toothbrushes were brought to the Department of Social Services, which will distribute them to needy children, Bauer said.

R.J. thanked everyone who donated toothbrushes.

“My trip to Thailad was good. Thanks to everyone who donated toothbrushes. I met many children who will be helped by your kindness,” he said.

School Principal Ken Lein commended R.J. for his efforts.

“Our Spirit Assembly theme this year has been about giving. R.J. and his schoolmates have really embodied this theme,” Lein said.