Lexington, KY - When Spencer Sabharwal visited his little cousin in the hospital a few years ago, he was struck at what a boring place it could be for a young patient. "He didn't have anything to do," said Spencer, who is now 12. Around that time, a sad thing happened in Spencer's life - his friend Ryan King, a young man in his 20s who was known for dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmas parties, passed away.
"(Ryan's) favorite color was red," Spencer's mother, optometrist Tammy Hoskins, recalled. "So everyone put a red Christmas light in their window for him."
Spencer, who lives in Hartland with his parents and younger sister, Kennedy, wanted to do something else. Building on his experience visiting his cousin in the hospital, as well as a desire to honor his late friend Ryan, he started "Project Red Light," a community project in which he collects new and gently used books and videos to take to kids and teenagers in area hospitals - so they might not be so bored.
"We put fliers around the school, and we have a bucket so as soon as everyone walks in they can drop their books in," explained Spencer, who will start 7th grade at The Lexington School in the fall. He has also collected books at the Liberty First Christian Church - his mother's hometown church, and the church Ryan attended. "We announced it one day, and then (church members) came in the next and they gave us books."
Over two years later, Project Red Light has collected more than 3,000 books and videos, which have been distributed at Central Baptist, UK Hospital, Stanford Hospital and Casey County Hospital. The books and videos are toted around the hospitals in library carts, which Spencer and his mom painted red, with the words "Project Red Light: In Memory of Ryan King."
"The nurses can push it from room to room and let kids choose a video or a book," Hoskins said. "We also put some puzzles on there."
Recently, Spencer's volunteer efforts were recognized on a national level. Last month, he received word that he won a $1,000 scholarship through the "Kohl's Kids Who Care" regional scholarship program, designed for kids ages 6-18 based on "initiative, leadership, creativity and generosity." One of about 2,000 winners nationwide (out of more than 18,000 nominees), Spencer is now eligible for one of 10 $5,000 national scholarships (he also won a $50 gift card to Kohl's, which his mom confirmed that he was actually more excited about).
"My sister signed him up," Hoskins explained. "We really didn't know anything about it."
When he isn't collecting books and videos to deliver to area hospitals, Spencer keeps himself busy with basketball camp, student council, gross anatomy (his favorite subject), reading the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series, and supporting his sister in her pageants (she recently won "Miss Laurel County"). He also plays lacrosse, but hopes to one day put that scholarship toward a career in college basketball.
His favorite UK basketball player? "From last season, Jodie Meeks," he answered, "but this season it's probably going to be John Wall."
And though it goes without saying - yes, he is excited about Coach Calipari.
For more information on how to donate new and gently used books to the Red Light Project, contact Tammy Hoskins at the Harrodsburg Eye Center (859-734-3155). For more information on the Kohl's Kids Who Care scholarship, including a list of winners, visit www.kohlskids.com.