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Community Corner

Whiz Kid: Brother Rice Graduate Continues Community Service

Michael Franklin is organizing a blood drive July 31 at St. Regis.

Each week, Birmingham Patch spotlights young people in the community who are successful, talented and just plain awesome. Today, we introduce this latest Whiz Kid:

Michael Franklin

  • Age: 18
  • School: (Class of 2011)
  • Achievement: Franklin, who became a first-time blood donor this year as a student senate collection drive leader, now is rallying other recent Brother Rice graduates, neighbors and church parishioners to help the Red Cross replenish emergency blood supplies that decline during summer – which he calls "a noble cause." He's sponsoring a July 31 donation event from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at , with 50 participants already pledging to give. He's spreading the word through church and neighborhood newsletters.

    Early donors that Sunday morning may join a pancake breakfast hosted, by Knights of Columbus members to encourage donations. To register, call Franklin at 248-535-9940 or visit this Red Cross site and enter "regis13" as the sponsor code. Walk-ins also are welcome.
  • Key to awesomeness: Though helping the regional Red Cross is his top priority, Franklin also could raise money for his premedical studies, which he'll start this fall at Brown University in Providence, RI. He's participating in the Red Cross' Bloodstock Scholarship Challenge, which lets students qualify for grants of $500 to $1,750 by collecting 30 to 150 pints of blood from donors they recruit.

    "I'm hoping to hit at least 65 units, which would qualify for $1,000," Franklin said this week after returning from a visit to Monterey, CA, where he learned to surf. While at Brother Rice, the Beverly Hills resident was a middle-distance runner on the high school's track and field team.

Do you know a special kid in the community who deserves applause because he volunteers after school? Or, maybe your daughter's science club challenges how we think about the environment? Or, perhaps your son's team won its first game in three years. Everyone deserves a little attention, and we want to tell these stories.

Email nominations to Editor Laura Houser at laura.houser@patch.com, provide the information given above and include a photo with names and ages. Come back every Tuesday for our Whiz Kid spotlight.

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