Grace Elden, entrepreneur and volunteer par excellence, is five years old. The daughter of Cari and Scott Elden, she has always liked birds, but became deeply involved when she found an educational program on the computer and announced, "Mommy, that's what I want to do — I want to learn about birds."

Given a chance, she will readily inform you that "I'm an ornithologist," and further conversation will convince you that she really is. Active in anything involving birds, and as a member of the Audubon Society, she recently participated in a survey wherein each day she spent 10 minutes at a specified time and place recording bird sightings.

She learned about the Gulf oil spill and the plight of the birds, which she describes with animation and in detail. She describes the broken oil well pipe and the people trying to fix it, and she sums up the situation by earnestly stating, "It's a bad thing."

"We want our birds to be healthy," she explains. "If there are no birds, there are no flowers — and the bees. We don't want our birds killed in the oil spill."

She had been intrigued with making silk flower bracelets. Someone suggested she should sell them, and the idea was born. Grace announced, "That's what I want to do — I want to help the birds."

The idea has grown. She makes "Gracelets' and sells them at the downtown farmers market for $5. In her words, "They were a big hit — I sold out every time."

Grace is thrilled that she has raised more than $200, which all goes to the Audubon Society "to help the birds." She wants to be sure that I mention that orders may be placed or contributions can be made by contacting www.graceletsforbirds.com or by calling 863-9586.

Grace, the birds are lucky to have a friend like you. They can't express their appreciation, so for them and for all the people who like birds, we say thank you for all you do.

— Jake Heckathorn

This column is dedicated to those who give freely of their time and energy to worthwhile community projects, but whose efforts often go unnoticed. If you know such a person, please e-mail [email protected].