Tori Matthews
makes the right call

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

St. Christopher sixth-grader Tori Matthews will make her confirmation next month, a sacrament whereby Catholics, usually ages 7 to 17, are anointed in the Holy Spirit and as soldiers in Christ.
Though Catholic youth no longer are symbolically slapped in the face as they were until 1971(Cardinal John Krol smacked pretty hard back in the day), they are encouraged to perform a service project in preparation for the sacrament that symbolizes a maturation of their faith.
For her project, Tori, 12, sought to help more literal soldiers — troops overseas— through the Help Them Call Home project.
Jodie Butler, whose brother-in-law Staff Sgt. Daniel J. Clay was killed in Iraq in December 2005, founded the campaign. Before Clay died, he left a letter for his family in case he didn’t make it home. That letter was shared with the nation when President George W. Bush read an excerpt in his 2006 State of the Union address.
"I know what honor is. It is not a word to be thrown around. It has been an Honor to protect and serve all of you. I faced death with the secure knowledge that you would not have to…Never falter! Don’t hesitate to honor and support those of us who have had the honor of protecting that which is worth protecting."
That letter was Butler’s inspiration to collect used cell phones, sell them and turn the cash into calling card minutes for the troops overseas. Each phone equals 250 minutes of phone time. Each $40 donation equals one 1,200-minute calling card. To date the campaign has raised about $75,000 worth of International calling card minutes.
When Tori first learned of the project on a local news program, she knew it was what she wanted to do for her confirmation project.
"People in Iraq are always surrounded by war and stuff. They need to call home, and it might be their last," she said.
Tori put a box in the lobby of St. Christopher School and put fliers in her neighbors’ mailboxes. She collected 51 cell phones for more than 212 hours of phone time.
Butler, of Help Them Call Home, was so impressed with Tori’s success that he wanted to recognize her for her efforts. He Fed-exed a Marine Corps league T-shirt and certificate for her mother to present to her at her birthday party.
"It’s been a big deal for me with her. Too many times kids aren’t taught to give back. She e-mailed me and said, what can I do, how can I help? I get that from companies and CEOS. This young lady is being raised right," Butler said. ••
To donate money, make checks payable to the Marine Corps League and send to Pensacola Marine Corps League, PO Box 3491, Milton, FL 32572. To download pre-paid shipping labels for sending cell phones or for more information, visit www.helpthemcallhome.org