Meet the Youth Volunteer Helping with Essential Distributions

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Hanan Mohammed. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

When it comes to access to basic needs, not everyone is on a level playing field. Rising high school junior Hanan Mohammed is aware of the inequities and started volunteering with Charity Crossing three years ago to address the issue. With locations across Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, the organization ensures people in underserved communities receive essential donations. In 2023, Hanan was awarded Charity Crossing’s prestigious “Volunteer of the Year” award and has earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Award for both 2022 with 120 dedicated volunteer hours, and 2023 with 261. Her work at the Rosehill Community Center location supports an average of 80 adults and 60 minors each week.

Even as a cross country and track athlete, Hanan finds time to get involved at school as well. She participates in several school clubs including the Aspiring Math Educators Club and Leading Ladies, the latter of which empowers and supports women through trips and volunteering initiatives. On top of all of that, she excels in academics at a technical high school preparing her for future study and a career in biotechnology.

It’s her commitment to science and technology that connected her with Fame, a school group for minority students in STEM, in 2022. Volunteering is a vital part of that group as well, and Hanan has given her time at places like The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, the Ronald McDonald Foundation and the New Castle County Police Department. Community engagement is a part of Hanan’s daily life, and because of that, she is definitely a Point of Light.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I feel a sense of pride knowing that I’m helping people and making a difference in my community. I also like to develop new skills.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Charity Crossing.

I have many different roles to fulfill, whether it’s at the warehouse or at one of the locations. On an unloading day at the warehouse, my job is to help unload Amazon donations out of the truck. I help organize them in their designated area.

During sorting days, I help put the donations in each category for the locations, so when we get to each stop, we know which donations we have. From there, my role is to help unload and organize everything on tables.

One of the locations where I volunteer the most is Glasgow Park. I give wristbands to people and show them where to go during distribution event activities. Wristbands help us track the number of attendees, but we also use them to designate people who “win” bigger or “special” items. Sometimes, we allow seniors or veterans to bypass the game and just take the special items.

I’ve also represented Charity Crossing at the Delaware Coastal Cleanup, the India Festival and the Pakistani Independence Day celebration, where I talked about our mission and impact while recruiting new volunteers.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I started volunteering with Charity Crossing in April of 2022, at the age of 12, and I liked what I was doing for the community. I made new friends. My first event was at the Rose Hill Community Center location, and I started to really enjoy volunteering.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

I just want to help more people and get new volunteers to join us. We need more people to help out.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part is seeing how thankful people are for what they receive, and it makes me happy knowing that I’m helping them. People are going through a tough time, and when I see them at these events and they tell me about it, it’s touching to know that we’re doing something to help them.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve learned that you can make new connections with people, and you can never take things for granted. I’ve also learned to be grateful for everything I receive.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

Our next event is our monthly distribution event in Glasgow Park.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

It feels great knowing that what you’re doing is making a difference. There are hundreds of people who need assistance, so we should help them. By doing so, we can also develop new skills.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

I want people to know that no matter who they are, they can make a difference in their community. Small acts of kindness can lead to bigger and better changes. And helping the community can lead to many different opportunities, because you meet new people and make lifelong connections.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Hanan? Find local volunteer opportunities.