by Jody Holman Webster

Photos: Jody Holman Webster

September 2011— 
You may have heard about the David and Goliath battle last year between PG&E and some concerned Pacifica citizens over the fate of 11 beautiful, century-old palm trees. What you may not have heard is that this decade-old issue received some good media attention, on CBS and throughout Pacifica, in large part thanks to a group of kids in a local non-profit, Kids 4 Change.

The issue of contention is PG&E’s placement of power lines directly in the line of growth of these trees when they were smaller; naturally, the trees have grown into PG&E’s high voltage lines and present a fire and electrocution hazard. So far, PG&E has not been willing to fund environmentally friendly solutions such as redirecting the lines, extending the poles or replacing the wires with an underground system, though discussions continue.

When Kids 4 Change voted to devote a project to the palms, they joined Vallemar Conservators in the campaign by organizing a used-book sale and neighborhood rally. The kids made signs, spoke about their feelings for the trees, and brainstormed solutions. Kids 4 Change was able to raise a total of $1,691. To date, the trees remain intact, though PG&E’s severe trimming of their fronds is threatening their health.

Kids 4 Change was born out of a desire to give kids the tools to act on their innate sense of compassion for others, and to help them become better stewards of society. As part of every project, children as young as 5 participate in a community service, a charitable donation, and an international micro-loan. The projects are chosen, structured and fulfilled by the children. Pacifica should be especially proud of its kids who, over the past four years, have donated to the likes of The Global Fund, Habitat for Humanity, the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Foundation, the Pacifica Firefighters Association, the San Bruno Fire Victims’ Fund, Little Kids Rock, the Rob Schneider Music Foundation and Pacifica Military Moms.

Kids 4 Change will be hosting its annual fundraising event this year on Oct. 1; popular jazz singer Jacqui Naylor, a regular at Yoshi’s, has offered to support Kids 4 Change by performing in an elegant and intimate outdoor venue for only 50 people.