children

High school students have notoriously developed a reputation for using their parents as an unlimited ATM machine, seemingly unaware of any financial discipline.  

Dr. Ken Johnson creates smiles that will last a lifetime through the free dental work he provides to children in need. "My father was a generous, giving man who instilled in me a core value of giving back & helping out,” recalls Ken. “He raised funds for needy community members even while not having much money to support his own family.” Ken has been giving back through providing volunteer dental services throughout his entire 44 year career. As a young dentist Ken made 25 international trips to provide volunteer dental care in impoverished countries throughout the world.

Not all meals are created equal. This is especially true for young children in homeless shelters. Seeing this, Catherine Aker, a shy high school junior, stepped out of her comfort zone, and started The Stone Soup Kitchen to teach homeless kids in her community proper nutrition so they can grow up healthy and strong. While volunteering at a local homeless shelter, Catherine noticed the kids had a poor diet. Although they were getting sufficient calories for their young bodies, it was mostly from junk food, even when healthier food was available.

Betsey Beckmann will literally give you the clothes off of her back.  In fact, she has.  With a smile, she has given a child a coat of hers to keep warm during the brutal winters in the St. Louis, Missouri area.   It is with this same wit and passion that Betsey started and organized Coat-A-Kid, an organization that provides coats to low-income families during the winter.

Since starting the Tres Islas Orphanage Fund 23 years ago, Donelle has been gainfully employed full-time, working every after-hour waking minute serving the children of orphanages in Mazatlan, Mexico. She spends her evenings, weekends and vacation time tirelessly emailing, writing newspaper articles, budgeting, fund raising and visiting the orphaned children in Mazatlan, Mexico. She is an ardent advocate for all the children in the orphanages, always seeking ways to improve their quality of life.