Long before I entered the pageant system, I was a volunteer. For as long as I can remember, my family has been active in volunteering. I truly believe that children, who grow up in an environment where their parents volunteer, realize the difference volunteering can make in others' lives and become volunteers themselves. I hope to inspire other teens and people of all ages to find their passion for helping others and become volunteers.
Keep reading below or click here to learn how you can get involved.
One of the organizations that has been dear to my heart is the Garland County
Circle of Friends. Last year, the Garland County Circle of Friends was
one of the leading fundraising organizations for Arkansas Children's Hospital in
Little Rock and received several awards such as "highest dollars raised in
a single event - 'Splash of Red', Kids Caring for Kids Project, and State
Volunteer Award.
I was inspired to volunteer after receiving a dual-chamber pacemaker in August
2001. During this time, Arkansas Children’s Hospital provided me with
outstanding care for which I will be forever grateful. ACH is recognized
world-wide for their first class patient care. Because of my great experience
with ACH, I decided to give back to the hospital that provided me with such
great care. As a patient of Children's Hospital (ACH), I have seen the difference that
organizations and partners, such as the Circle of Friends and The Children's
Miracle Network, can make in the lives of patients
and their families.
Today, I live a normal healthy life as a college student. However, I find time to give back to my community by volunteering. All it takes is a passion for helping people and a willing heart to make a difference!
As a part of the Kids Caring for Kids project for Circle of Friends, I implemented an ACH sticker sale competition between Lakeside School and Lake Hamilton School which has raised over $40,000 the last 2 years. In 2002, I contacted the local Circle of Friends organization for ACH to see if there was any way I could help give back to the hospital. With the help of the Circle of Friends Chapter, I implemented a fundraiser within two local Hot Springs area schools, Lakeside High School and Lake Hamilton High School. For a two week period, the schools sold ACH stickers and asked for donations for ACH within their community. The first year, the schools raised $1200 combined; however, this amount has grown more each year. This fundraiser has become a tradition within Lakeside and Lake Hamilton Student Councils simply because the students have loved knowing that they have helped so many children by volunteering their time for ACH. Our rivalry fundraiser has been a model for other high schools across Arkansas. Each year, this fundraiser has raised more and more money. In 2006, as student council president, I was determined for our student council to raise the most money possible for ACH. Together, we met our goal with Lakeside and Lake Hamilton raising over $24,000 for ACH!
Within the last five years, I have been directly involved in raising over $200,000 for ACH. With the help of the Circle of Friends, I have spearheaded fundraisers through my school and community. Along with the sticker sale fundraiser, I have also volunteered to help the Circle of Friends begin a fundraiser in several local elementary schools. I spent time speaking to the students about the importance of volunteering and inspired them to raise over $10,000 for ACH. My goal is to give ACH a voice and face that represents all the children who are struggling with their own health issues and at the same time create a generation of young people who think and care about others. Through fundraising, heightening public awareness, and working with the Garland County Circle of Friends and the Children's Miracle Network, I am committed to this partnership that can change children's lives.
