Original art by Cole Ruscitti
What do I love?
I love seeing young people who have great ideas.
I love seeing young people who put those great ideas into action.
Enter one Cole Ruscitti, a senior who attends Chicago Waldorf School. I met Cole through his mom, Katybeth, who writes one of my favorite blogs over at Odd Loves Company.
Photo shamelessly borrowed from Cole’s blog. I suspect taken by his mom.
Cole had to have a senior project. Like many seniors these days these projects can take on many forms from doing a community service type project to, as in Cole’s case, modifying and rebuilding a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. I have followed along on the ride this year and encouraged from afar. I have punched my husband when I saw a bug and said “slug a bug” in honor of June Bug. I have read Cole’s entertaining blog, VW Bug Fixation, and laughed at all of the foibles he has encountered along the way. I have cheered him on and provided funding for a cup holder because that is VITAL in any vehicle. Seriously—no cupholder = sad Beth Ann.
Cole is getting down to the final days of his project and has had wonderful supporters along the way as you can see from his ongoing Thank You page. When he began the project he offered a variety of sponsorship levels ranging from Push and Pray for a mere $1 donation, Let Me Ride for $50, all the way up to Super Beetle Sponsorship for $500 with other levels in between. Cole’s sense of humor is always present in his writing and in the videos on his blog and I have laughed at many of the adventures along the way .
The latest and final push is underway for Cole to raise funds and awareness for his spectacular senior project. You won’t want to miss out on this chance, believe me. For a mere $1 donation Cole will have your signature written in indestructible Sharpie marker on his beloved June Bug. Run, jog, scoot, sashay, amble, or simply click to go to Cole’s page right here where you can learn more about how to make a donation to help Cole make it to the finish line. It is really quite easy and your name could become part of history as well as giving Cole and June Bug a push to the finish line.
Photo by Katybeth Jensen
Come on, What are you waiting for? Get going. Click here! Tell him I sent you!
Oh and by the way, Happy Valentine’s Day !!!! Share the love.
It's Just Life 
Oh I love the kitty in the signature.
Cute, huh??? They did a great job with that!
On my way………………………….
He’s a pretty neat guy!!!!
Oh my. Thank you so much. Cole will be thrilled! I can not wait to share the post with him and my Mom. I have to share it with my Mom and of-course my Facebook page and his Facebook page…ok gotta go. Your a gem and you encouragement and support has meant so much. I ♥!!!!!!!!!
Well if only it would share correctly. It is published. The preview is just not sharing it right. Still working on it.
Cole’s blog is a fascinating, and refreshing, read!! Thanks for sharing!!!!!
Thanks for stopping over there, Doreen!!!
This makes my bug loving heart happy! What an awesome project. I’ll have to hop on over and check it out!!! Thanks for always sharing and caring!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
❤ Glad you liked it. WordPress preview links are all wonky today on FB so I am glad you found it!
Donation made! And I get your posts delivered to my inbox! 🙂
You rock!!! Thanks so much!!!
I’m so with you on encouraging young people. Go, Cole!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Mr. Diamond!
He is an amazing guy!!!! I am happy to share the love!!! Hope you and Randy have a nice day!
Beth Ann, what a true friend you are, sharing this adventure/project of Cole’s! I, too, have enjoyed June Bug’s metamorphosis and am cheering right along with you. This, my dear, is an excellent example of Valentine’s Day LOVE!!
I just think it is such an amazing thing and a great project!!! Sharing the love!!!
It is so good to see the creativeness of so many of the young people. I hope all goes well.
He is very creative, isn’t he? I love his originality and determination.
Awesome project, and I love that Cole is adding his donors’ signatures to his work- what a fun, creative way to say thank you!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I agree it is a really neat project and one that I am thrilled to have my name on! 🙂
I love Katybeth’s blog. Haven’t visited Cole yet. Going over there now.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
it is a fun one, too, Kathy! I love that I “met” them! Amazing people.
What a great project for a senior to undertake///know he’s making his momma proud. Thanks for heads up.
You are welcome. Isn’t it so cool???? I think and his mom are amazing!!!!
Thank you so much. I really appreciate all of the support and encouragement The Bug is finally coming together and by the end of next week the inside should be made over.
My first car was a 1973 VW bug, it was orange & black so I called it Ladybug!
I have been the proud owner of five VW Bugs. Bug-less now. My first car was a turquoise Beetle, a surprise from my Mom and Dad. Clicking over after I finish here.. 🙂
Oh good for you! There are a lot of bug lovers out there!
Even my grandkids play “Punch Buggy.” Nice story, I wondered if today’s teens work on cars like they used to.
Cole is a very nice young man with a lot of interesting stories by now about June Bug. It has been neat to watch the progress.