Whiz Kid Helps Win State Fitness Grant for Redwood City

When most middle school kids retreat indoors to play the latest Wii or Xbox game, Thomas Gifford, 14, was eager to rush outside to help the . The department recently recognized the renaissance 14-year-old for his contributions to the Redwood City Youth Advisory Board.

“I love having him on my board,” said Jodi Fernandez, Recreation Supervisor. “He’s the kind of kid that’s the first one there and the last one to leave.”

The graduate was on the Youth Advisory Board for the three years permitted for his age group and reached far beyond expectations of the average middle school student.

“We discuss what’s going on within the city and find out if there is anything we can do to help,” Gifford said.

Gifford was consistently chairman or vice chairman and maintained a leadership role in several projects including feeding those in need, community clean-ups and organizing a youth conference. His proudest accomplishment, however, was his contributions to the creation of the campaign “Stay Fit & Play a Bit”.

The Youth Advisory Board taught and encouraged a group of second and third graders to play two hours each day as a form of exercise.

“They should learn now so when they get older they will know about health,” he said. “So they don’t have limitations when it comes to physical activity.”

Stay Fit & Play a Bit won the 2010 Spotlight Award for Physical Fitness from the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The program was awarded $1,000 in grant funds.

“He’s a great encourager to our youth,” Fernandez said. “The kids really respond well to him.”

But for Gifford, it’s not so much about his personal achievements as it is the long-term positive impact the fitness program will have on the city.

“I’m happy that will be continued and used throughout the years,” Gifford said.

Gifford also said his experience with assisting the needy has made him realize the needs of his community. When the Youth Advisory Board held a Food Bank, it hit an emotional note with Gifford.

“I saw how many people were in line and some didn’t have bags, they just came with baby strollers and piled on food,” he said.

His time on the Youth Advisory Board has taught him a good deal of responsibility, Gifford said.

The young man said he was inspired to aid his community by the leadership and encouragement of Fernandez.

“She was the one who believed in me from the first time I was in there,” he said.

Fernandez said Gifford excels at every project given to the board and he is a natural creative leader. Gifford has assisted in almost every Youth Advisory Board event in the past three years, Fernandez said.

Marty Gifford, Thomas’ mother, said that dedication and a special ingenuity is simply in Thomas’ nature.

“He’s extremely creative,” she said. “And a thinker, an extreme thinker.”

Thomas’ creativity and dedication to the Youth Advisory Board was rewarded this summer when he received a two-week scholarship to a filmmaking camp held at Fox Theatre in Redwood City.

The students of the camp were equipped with computers, HD cameras and a green screen and given a task to make a five to eight minute video, Gifford said.

Though the 14-year-old does not wish to follow a career in filmmaking or community outreach, he aspires to become a professional basketball player, a testament to his love for physical activity.

Thomas will be joining the Teen Advisory Board again to continue his service and commitment to Redwood City.

“More young people need to get involved in their community,” Gifford said. “Kids right now will be running the city later on, so they should start having ideas now.”