Sometimes one person can make a difference.

The eighth-grade social studies project in Ken Sobecki's class at Watts Middle School was not all that daunting. Students were to "Make a Difference," by spending 25 hours doing something to contribute positively to the Centerville community that would make a difference in the lives of others.

But once 14-year-old Patrick Ditzel began thinking about what he might do and chose global warming because he had seen so much about it on TV, he had to come up with a plan he could implement.

"It took a while," he said.

He decided he would solicit donations from people in his neighborhood so the Centerville-Washington Park District could buy trees for the district's parks. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen through photosynthesis, helping improve air quality.

"I went door to door and collected checks from people," he said. "I got my whole neighborhood and part of another."

The checks totaled $1,230 and came from 64 donors, said Carol Kennard, director of the park district. "We were overwhelmed when Patrick brought in his donations," she said. "This student really went above the requirements of the project. I think this is a good example of the positive influence our young people can have on the community."

She said the park district intends to purchase trees and plant them at Waterbury Woods Park this fall.

"His donation will allow for several trees to be planted, depending on the type of trees we choose," she said.

Ditzel, who will be a freshman at Centerville High School this fall, plays select baseball during the summer and runs cross country and track.

At Watts, he was also a member of the school's ski club.

His parents are Doug and Maggie Ditzel, who also have two other sons, Nick, 12, and Ethan, 7.

"He worked hard, especially at the end of the time," his mom said. "There were days he was out there in the rain trying to get his hours in."

Besides being creative, "Patrick has always been very confident in front of people," she said.

"He and a friend recently played their electric guitars at a talent show for their school.

"He's a really good kid," she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2341

or

kullmer@DaytonDailyNews.com.