In May 2011, six young people were honored as Hasbro Community Action Heroes and recognized for their achievements in volunteer service and contributions to their communities and the world. Each of the six young people, who ranged in age from 7 to 18, exemplified Hasbro’s commitment to the transformative power of service and embodied generationOn’s mission to inspire, equip, and mobilize youth to take action that changes the world and themselves through service.

In today’s post Nicholas Lowinger, 14, one of those six tremendous youth, reflects on his experience as a 2011 Hasbro Community Action Hero.

Receiving one of the 2011 Hasbro Community Action Hero Awards was a very humbling experience for me and I am proud to call myself a Hasbro Community Action Hero.  I volunteer in my community because I know that, even as a teenager, I can make a difference in this world and I want young people everywhere to know that they can do the same.

I founded Gotta Have Sole Foundation in 2010 to provide new footwear to children, from infancy through age 18, who were living in local shelters. The exuberant expression on the children’s faces who have received new shoes is tremendously gratifying. I have seen with my own eyes children putting on new shoes or sneakers and immediately running off and playing with other kids. Teenagers feel better about themselves which in turn, helps them do better in school and in social situations. Parents and shelter advocates continue to comment on how happy receiving new footwear makes the children. Parents tell me that without Gotta Have Sole Foundation, they would never be able to provide their children with such well-made footwear and those new shoes make a real, positive difference in their children’s lives.

The Hasbro Community Action Hero Award helped Gotta Have Sole Foundation gain visibility not only in my hometown state of Rhode Island, but throughout the United States.  People around the country are aware of the significance of this award and respect Hasbro, its commitment to giving back to the community, and its encouragement of youth volunteers across the globe.  Currently, I donate brand-new footwear to children living in homeless shelters in RI, MA, NY, NJ, PA, Washington, DC, and most recently, Texas, and to date, I have donated new footwear to over 1,800 children.  I owe so much to Hasbro and generationOn for this award and for helping me move closer towards realizing my dream of donating new footwear to every homeless child across our country.

As a representative of  the Hasbro Community Action Hero Award program, I have had the opportunity to encourage more youth in middle schools, high schools, colleges and universities to not only follow their dreams as I have, but to also volunteer more in their communities or globally.   I will forever be honored to call myself a Hasbro Community Action Hero and hope to always be a positive role model for youth.

Do you want to be a 2012 Hasbro Community Action Hero?

generationOn and Hasbro Children’s Fund are currently seeking nominations for the 2012 Hasbro Community Action Hero Award. This award recognizes outstanding young volunteers, ages 5 to 18, who demonstrate that you are never too young to make a difference in your local or global community. Awardees will be celebrated for their extraordinary commitment to service at a special recognition event in New York City and will receive a $1,000 educational scholarship.

Nominations will be accepted from now through Tuesday, March 6 at 5pm EST. CLICK HERE to find out more and to submit a nomination!