PATRICK MCKAY

Patrick McKay is only 10 years old, but he is already an example to many adults and youth in his community of Pasadena, Maryland. He has already contributed far more to his community than most adults.

Patrick makes regular contributions of food, clothing and toys to a local battered women’s shelter sponsored by his karate school. He also makes regular donations to The American Red Cross, Purple Heart and Goodwill. He has donated coats to the “Coats for Kids” program and books to underprivileged children programs. Annually, Patrick also participates in the collection and delivery of food in the Pasadena Holiday Parade. In this parade, Patrick dresses as an elf and throws candy to the children watching. After the parade, Patrick helps to deliver the collected food items to charitable organizations and the Maryland Food Pantry.

Patrick has even delivered warm meals to the area firehouse while they were fighting raging mulch yard fires during last summer. The fires resulted in the firefighters working mandatory double shifts. Patrick’s competition team also organized and held a group car wash in which they donated the proceeds to the September 11th fund to help the victims and their families.

Patrick’s latest project has been developing a seminar and video for children. This video teaches them how to keep safe from bullies, and a second video will teach children how to be safe from abduction. He thought of this project on his own and has spent countless hours researching, preparing and filming. He hopes to have the project completed so he can introduce it to his community later this year. Patrick draws upon his martial arts experience and expertise to educate other children in hopes of keeping them safe from physical harm.

Patrick is very eager to help others. Because of his service, he was awarded the Special Team of Role Models (STORM) TEAM status at his karate school. They estimate that Patrick works at least eight hours each week to help his underclassmen and others.

In addition, Patrick and his family adopt a needy family during the holidays. They provide for them the things needed to help make their holiday brighter. Patrick enjoys shopping for the children and dropping off the items with his brother. He also regularly contributes to his elementary school fundraising efforts to earn new classroom computers and funds for trips which some of the students could not otherwise afford.