10-year-old takes part in Draw Attention to Hunger program

Mary Hamilton featured in special calendar

By:Vanessa S. Holt
   BORDENTOWN CITY – In a watermelon boat with a shish kabob mast, tiny figures hand out food beneath the caring messages, "Be Giving" and "Feed the Hungry."
   The image drawn by Mary Hamilton, a 10-year-old fifth-grade student at St. Mary’s School in Bordentown City, graces the July page of a 2003 calendar put out by ShopRite Partners in Caring, a program dedicated to fighting hunger and raising awareness about the issue.
   The "Draw Attention to Hunger" program was created by ShopRite with Binney and Smith Inc., which includes Crayola and Ambassador Greeting Cards products, to teach children about hunger in America.
   A coloring contest challenged children in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware to express their thoughts on hunger and possible solutions for the problem in spring of 2002.
   Out of 700 entrants from fourth-graders in the five states, only 12 drawings were chosen.
   The Hamilton family, including Mary, her two brothers Christopher, 8, and Francis, 5, and parents Chris and Casey, are regular contributors to area food pantries and Ms. Hamilton said she has always taught her children the importance of giving.
   Mary’s parents, of McKnight Avenue, are both attorneys, and her father is a reservist with the U.S. Marines. Mary was born in Okinawa, Japan, and the family has lived in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland before setting in Bordentown two years ago.
   While petting the family dog, a Labrador named Star, Mary said her family gives food and clothing on a regular basis throughout the year and for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
   Mary’s crayon drawing also will grace one of eight note card designs that will be available at ShopRite beginning in February. The family said they have been told it will be featured on boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios in the five-state region where the contest took place.
   "She’s creative," said her father, Chris Hamilton. "She’s a real big reader. She’s read every volume of the Nancy Drew mysteries and Harry Potter."
   While Mary enjoys drawing, she is even more interested in reading and making up stories, said her parents.
   "I make them up for my brothers," said Mary.
   "Mary tells stories to all her brothers and cousins," said Mr. Hamilton. "For Christmas, they all told each other stories."
   She also enjoys Girl Scouts, singing in the St. Mary’s Church choir, soccer and learning to play the keyboard. When she grows up, Mary said, she would like to be an FBI agent or a U.S. Navy frogman.
   Mary said the real story, though, is the ongoing problem of hunger in America, and it is one she is already dedicated to fighting.
   For more information about the Partners in Caring program, visit the Web site, www.shopritepartnersincaring.org.