Students at Richmond school ready to dream big

With a bit of financial savvy and inspiration from a red rubber ball, students at Fairfield Court Elementary School can get what they want in life.

Those dreams are big -- video games and singing lessons, college and medical school, cars and beach houses.

Volunteers from Capital One hosted a lively event yesterday at Capital One's West Creek complex in eastern Goochland County for more than 100 fourthand fifth-graders, a community service project in lieu of a fancy holiday party. Activities included inspirational talks, financial literacy lessons and games -- including some with those all-important bouncing balls.

Motivational speaker Kevin Carroll of Portland, Ore., explained how a red kickball saved his life.

"It's a symbol for me of finding my inspiration," he said. "Play is magical."

Abandoned by his parents at age 6, Carroll said he discovered a purpose in life on the playgrounds of Philadelphia. He earned college degrees, worked as a translator in the Air Force, was an athletic trainer for an NBA team and wrote several books, including "Rules of the Red Rubber Ball."

"Circumstances don't dictate your destiny," he said.

"You have to ask yourself, 'What do I love so much that I want to chase it every day?'"

Fifth-grader Kalen Gilliam already knows. "When I get older, I'm going to try to be the governor," he said.

Others wanted more tangible items. Capital One volunteer Tim Hendricks gave students a crash course in finance.

Want a car at 16? Start saving $5 a month now and you'll have a good down payment on a car when you get your license.

"Who wants to be a millionaire when they retire?" Hendricks asked. "Every hand shot up. "If you start saving $100 a month at age 18, you'd have $1 million at age 64," he said, explaining about interest compounding.

And though rubber balls might not necessarily be the inspiration for each Fairfield Court student's dream, they all got to experience how play influenced Carroll and how it's going to benefit their school.

Along with Capital One staffers, pupils stuffed more than 4,000 balls into four school buses. Those balls will be donated to area schools and nonprofit organizations.

Fairfield Court Elementary will receive numerous boxes of sports equipment, including plenty of red rubber balls.
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or .