Seasoned Fund-raiser by age 12, Sanya Pirani Sharpens Persuasive Skills, Expands Ways to Help Poor, Homeless

Sanya Pirani, a seventh-grader at Hidden Oaks Middle School in Prior Lake, a suburb of Minnesota’s Twin Cities, is already a seasoned fund-raiser and volunteer. Sanya, 12, is a youth ambassador for her local Community Action Partnership (CAP) Agency and has embarked on numerous charitable projects, including collecting diapers, socks and food for the needy, buying toys for families at Christmas and raising funds for children in other nations, including Haiti. She’s even formed her own nonprofit, Sanya’s Hope for Children, “We don’t keep any money we raise,” Sanya notes.  “It’s 100 percent nonprofit.”

How did you get started?

“I was 7 and a half years old. My mother was watching a YouTube video of a child in a war-torn country. 

The little girl was sitting on the ground, with torn clothing and no shoes, and I felt so sorry for her.  I ran up to my room, and my mother followed me, asking what was wrong.” 

Sanya says her mother assured her it was a good thing to feel compassion for others, but she wanted to act on her feelings. The then-third grader began holding bake sales and garage sales to raise money for disadvantaged children in her own state.  She got the idea to make bookmarks and sell them for $5 each.  She sold 500 of them.  She donated the money to a local crisis nursery. When her grandmother gave her $100 toward the purchase of an American Girl doll, Sanya used the money instead to buy 100 packets of M&M candy.  She sold each one for $5 and donated the $500 to the crisis nursery as well.

What inspires you to volunteer?

“Doing service and helping others gives me satisfaction. Making a difference in people’s lives is a main reason – even if you can do a little bit, it can go a long way.  It makes me happy, so that’s another reason why I do it.  It helps me learn valuable lessons, like, life is hard and fund-raising is very difficult and how it takes a lot to really achieve something.  It teaches me great communication skills.”

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

“I’ve learned that fund-raising is hard.  It’s very hard to get people to help if they’re not interested.  We actually hear more no’s than yeses.  Our goal is to help children, which I think, impacts a lot of people –and when you help children you also have to help families, which is a broader subject.  I’ve found that when I speak at places where I’ve been invited to speak, more people are willing to help. We ask a lot of people for help, and some come and go. But we’ve had a couple of partners that have stayed with us and helped us fund-raise, too.”

Did it make you discouraged at first to hear so many no’s?

“Kind of.  But my mother taught me it’s normal to hear no.  Now I don’t feel discouraged at all.  I just know that some people feel differently about different things.”

“We are sewing bags for the homeless.  We fill them with books and toys and school supplies. We have this big packing event in our basement every year where we get volunteers – we try to bring in high schoolers from my district and many kids from my school.  We have lots of fun putting things into the bags and at Christmastime, we give them to families and children at the homeless shelter.”

Why is it important for others to give back?

“You get many blessings in return. You get what you give.  If you give kindness to others, you’re going to get kindness back.  It’s this big boomerang.  I really think that starting volunteering at a young age is going to help you later in life.”

If another middle-school student reads this and wants to do something similar, what is your advice?

“Think of what you are passionate about.  It doesn’t have to be as broad as what I’m doing:  you could choose helping with mental illness, food, education or shelter.  Start with a little something, like a nonprofit that works with that or doing a bake sale in your neighborhood.   Start small, it will gradually get bigger.  Shoot for the stars and you’ll get to the moon.”

Do you want to make a difference like Sanya? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Kay Nolan

Chess for a Cause Makes all the Right Moves

Srikar Karra, 17, is crazy about chess.  He’s great at it too, winning tournaments and matches, bringing home trophy after trophy.  But what distinguishes Srikar from the average chess nut is his desire to use his passion to affect change. Two years ago he and his brother Sai started Insight Chess Academy, a chess coaching service that earns money for charities.  Initially, Srikar thought about coaching as a way to contribute to his own family’s bottom line during tough financial times.  But before long, he realized he could use his passion for chess to accomplish multiple good outcomes. The money he earns is used to fight hunger and promote education in both India and the U.S.  And the life lessons that are the underpinnings of chess well played continue to uplift both Srikar and his students.

Srikar is committed to making a difference in his community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke with Srikar about his commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Waking up every day to the fact that I am making a positive difference in somebody’s life and putting a smile on their face. I do what I love and it benefits others and myself.

Describe your volunteer role with Insight Chess Academy.

In 2016, I started a chess coaching service with my younger brother Sai called Insight Chess Academy. We teach chess lessons for children and use the money raised to help fight hunger related problems around the world. On a weekly basis, my brother and I coach chess to children of various ages. We also host interactive summer lessons for children, offering them fun and interactive ways to learn chess. Chess is an amazing challenge and it teaches you so much.

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

Being able to combine my passion for chess and helping others to make a difference. Also, realizing that I can make such a great impact on the lives of other people has been a transformative experience. Chess isn’t just a game, it’s a way to cultivate vibrant communities by connecting chess players with the skills, information and services they need to learn chess while developing as a person.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Volunteering has taught me many crucial skills such as networking, public speaking, responsibility and time management to name a few. Being able to spend so much time volunteering has also allowed me to view things from a different perspective and feel more empathy towards those who are not as fortunate as I am. I have also grown personally while learning skills to be an effective leader and mentor. It really feels good to know that I’m able to do so much even by myself, and I believe that my story should impact other teens like me and allow them to help out in the community

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

Apart from offering coaching, Insight Chess Academy also hosts workshops and events. We plan to host a large chess tournament where we can use the money raised to give back to those in need.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?

Giving back is essential in the world we will live in. Everyone is facing different hardships and you never know what a person is going through. By giving back, you have the potential to transform a person’s life completely.

What do you want people to learn from your story

Go for it. Don’t give up. Commit and find purpose. Find a goal that drives you so much, you can wake up in the morning feeling excited and go at it. Be willing to help others and remember kindness and love go a long way. It really feels good to know that I’m able to do so much by myself, and I believe that my story should impact other teens like me and allow them to help out in the community.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Srikar? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This post was written by Beth D’Addono 

Giving Bouquets of Smiles to Cancer Patients One Paper Flower at a Time

Sarah LoCurto believes that when words fail, flowers speak volumes. By the time Sarah was 15, she had lost her grandfather and a close family friend to cancer. Wanting to do something to make a difference, Sarah dreamed up the idea of giving hand made paper flowers to cancer patients, who because of their compromised immune systems, can’t be around fresh flowers or plants. 

Last year she started Because Char Smiled named for Charlene Weishaupt , the friend who lost her battle with cancer. What started as a local project delivering paper flowers to Roswell Park Cancer Institute has grown across the state and beyond, with Sarah traveling to provide training workshops to groups from the Girl Scouts to 4-H clubs, churches and even the state’s Federated Garden Club chapter, a ripple effect that would certainly make Char smile.

Sarah is committed to making a difference in her community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke with Sarah about her commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

You do something for one person and it impacts them, and that has some kind of effect on all the people they know and are connected to, and so on, affecting people on a large scale. And maybe one person in that network is inspired to volunteer, too, or maybe more than the one. Something that starts small becomes a movement that has the capacity to change the world.

Describe your volunteer role.

I am the founder/creator of Because Char Smiled.  We hand make paper flowers and donate them to brighten patients rooms at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. For about a year, I’ve been traveling throughout Western New York to more than a dozen different towns and cities, giving flower workshops to people of all ages. Through Because Char Smiled, groups such as Girl Scouts, 4-H and summer camps learn how to make these paper symbols of hope and love. I get to be a leader, a teacher, an artist, and even a bit of a gardener. Each role is unique, but they’re all me, and more importantly they all help bring a bit of happiness to the world.

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

The opportunity to truly become involved with the community. Each workshop is more than just a day of flower making. It’s a way to inspire people and encourage them to be kind, follow their passions, and believe in their ideas. That might mean intensive volunteering, but it could just as easily be a conscious effort to smile at people and make connections. So I’d say the biggest reward is the possibility that Because Char Smiled will have a positive, lasting impression on someone.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

So many things! I’ve learned that it takes a lot of work to turn an idea into a reality. I’ve learned about many great programs that promote leadership and volunteering, and I’ve met some wonderful people through them. I’ve also learned that there is absolutely nothing better and more important than true human connection. Hearing people talk about their struggles and their triumphs is an amazing opportunity to connect on an important level. To be able to empathize and understand where they’re coming from and have a stranger become a friend is a beautiful thing.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

Recently, I’ve had the privilege of meeting with the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc. to give tutorials to local chapters. The 8th District has more than one thousand members – that means a lot of flowers for local patients. But this is especially exciting because the NYS Club President introduced Because Char Smiled at their annual statewide meeting, and that kind of exposure means flowers could be donated to hospitals statewide. Not to mention, it’s pretty cool that people who are professional gardeners and work with live plants want to get involved with paper flowers.

I’m also excited to be invited back to work with the Leaders in Training Program at the WNY United Against Drug & Alcohol Abuse, Inc. It’s a summer camp of seventh and eighth grade students, and with 100 kids attending, it was the largest workshop to date. I’m looking forward to returning next summer.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

Not only do you help other people through your actions, you feel a sense of fulfillment. You know that you bring a little more light to a world that can be chaotic at times, and that’s something to be proud of. When we give back, we’re creating a better world for someone, somewhere, and that’s an amazing feeling. There’s nothing else like it.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I would hope people learn that the only thing stopping them from achieving their dreams are the limitations they place on themselves. It’s crazy to look back and see how far this project has come. At one point it didn’t exist, then it was just an idea, and now it’s grown so much that it’s actually hard to believe. It’s hard when you’re young- you know you want to do something, but you don’t know what, or how. I started Because Char Smiled when I was fifteen, but the dream had been there for years. I just hope it shows people that we truly can accomplish whatever we aspire to, we just have to start believing that it’s possible.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Sarah? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This post was written by Beth D’Addono.

Heartfelt Service Turn Retirement Into a Lifesaver

Jeff and Dean Wilson’s idea of retirement has no room for rocking chairs and sitting on the sidelines. Instead, their vision of retirement involves heartfelt service, and they make that happen every day. The couple moved to The Villages, an active adult Florida retirement community in 2009, first as snowbirds, and since 2013 as full time residents. They jumped right into making a huge difference in their new neighborhood by establishing a Neighbors Saving Neighbors group to ensure lightening fast response with CPR and an AED (automated external defibrillator) when a neighbor suffers cardiac arrest. The program is literally a lifesaver, and one of their neighbors is alive today because of it.

Not wanting too much free time on their hands, this dynamic duo also volunteers for a slew of other local non-profits including Make A Wish Foundation and Bargains & Blessings Thrift Store.   

Jeff is committed to making a difference in her community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke with Jeff about his commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

When we moved into this community, we wanted to contribute, to make a difference.  Volunteering with Neighbors Saving Neighbors has a direct effect on saving someone’s life. Every minute that CPR and an AED (automated external defibrillator) are started gives the patient a 10 percent better chance of survival with no long term health issues.  With this program now in place, we have been on the site within one minute of receiving a call starting CPR and using the AED. That can make a lifesaving difference. I grew up in a family that believed in giving back and as an adult I have tried to continue that philosophy.  Now that I am retired, I have the opportunity to do more. I believe that you should help in whatever way you can and support  the organizations that provide a service that you believe in.

Describe your volunteer roles?

I began our Neighborhood AED program shortly after a neighbor of mine passed away from cardiac arrest in March of 2015 – I think he may have survived if our AED program had been in place. I am group coordinator for our AED group after suggesting that we start a local group in our 172-family neighborhood in 2015. That involved creating an advisory committee that included medical professionals, identifying specific needs and locations for the AEDs and fundraising to buy them.  The program went live in August 2015 with five AEDs and 24 fully trained first responders. My responsibilities include working with the trained first responders; setting up live cardiac arrest drills; contacting Public Safety for batteries and pads, make sure everything is in good working order and facilitate training and re-training of first responders.  I also coordinate fund raising and make sure all bills are paid. For the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we volunteer as Wish Granters to meet with the family and children that have been approved for a Wish.  At our church-sponsored Bargains and Blessings Thrift Store I drive the delivery truck, load vehicles and help with intake. We are Eucharistic ministers for Sunday services at our church New Covenant Methodist Church and routinely help out when needed. I also use my accounting skills to help a group of local people file their Federal and State Income Tax Returns.

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

Because of our system, we saved a life in March of 2018. Without our efforts, fundraising, training, commitment and sacrifice, this would not have been possible. Billy LaCasse, one of our own AED First Responders, was mowing his lawn when his heart stopped.  A neighbor saw him fall and immediately began giving CPR while another neighbor called 911, sending the alert to EMTs and our Gilchrist West neighborhood AED first responders. In less than a minute, one of our responders was there with an AED and put the pads on Billy. The AED shocked him to restart this heart and chest compressions resumed until the EMTs arrived and took over.  My friend Billy was taken to the hospital, had surgery and was home in six days. His doctor said early intervention saved his life.  When we began this program in August of 2015, we said If we can save one life, it will be worth it.  AND IT WAS!!!

What have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?

When people get together with a common goal, there is nothing that can stop them.  In less than five months, we started a project from scratch, raised $17,000 from our neighbors and went live with an entire AED system with 24 trained first responders that has saved lives.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?

I believe everyone wants to feel that they make a difference in someone else’s life.  Indeed that is what happened when one of our own first responders experienced a miracle. It is said that volunteers receive much more than they give, this was certainly the situation for me.  My friend is still alive.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

That anything is possible when you put your mind to it and work as a team.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Jeff? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This Post was written by Beth D’Addono.

Family Creates School in Tanzania to Provide Educational Opportunities to Children with Disabilities

Joann and Don Tolmie first visited Tanzania in 1999 as guests of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. They soon realized there was a vast educational inequality for children with disabilities – who are often believed to be a bad omen or a hardship, and for whom educational opportunities are few. . After discovering the need for disabled children to have a proper place to learn and grow, the husband and wife duo teamed up with the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania to create the Faraja Primary School. There’s no denying that this first trip ignited a spark in their hearts that was so big, it would grow to help create a culture shift in understanding disability.

The Faraja School’s mission is to help disabled children unlock a lifetime of opportunity through education, medical care and meaningful employment, empowering them to return to their communities and live a productive life. Faraja, which means “comfort” in Swahili, is located near Sanya Juu, in the Kilimanjaro region of northern Tanzania. The school has graduated 125 children from its program, and is successfully teaching its students that their lives possess immense purpose and opportunity – despite common beliefs in their villages. The school was dedicated to Joann’s mother, Mabel Swanson, whose legacy remains an integral part of the heartbeat that keeps Faraja running. She taught physically disabled children in Illinois, and passed on her love of education and service to Joann.

The success of the Faraja School shows how serious the need for such a resource was in the community. Schools in Tanzania are often multiple stories and lack accommodations for accessibility, and physically disabled children can’t operate or work in such environments. Outside of the Faraja School classrooms, disabled children are often cast away because of a persistent stigma of being a financial burden to the country and local communities. But Joann and Don didn’t see these children as burdens; they chose to jump on the opportunity to show how intelligent and special students could be with loving support. Today, the Faraja School remains one of the top schools in their region and has performed tremendously well on country examinations.

The couple, now 90 and 88 years old, have made more than 30 trips to Tanzania. They have turned Faraja into be a place where any child can be equipped to conquer the mountains in their lives. The culture of the school is made up of immense compassion and a deep sense of community.

“There is a beautiful family and community that these students create at such a young age,” said Don. “Every day at Faraja the students stop at 10 a.m. for a snack break. There is one kid, who has a worse leg than I do, who stops what he’s doing at snack time, drops his crutches, gets behind his friend in her wheelchair and drags his left leg as he pushes. Students begin to develop so much purpose, and support for one another is at the heart of it all.”

For the Tolmie family, the relationships they have built over time at the Faraja School have inspired them to remain active in this endeavor well into their retirement years. Their three sons and their families have also become a part of Faraja’s story. For Don’s 90th birthday, his family had 18 trees planted along each side of a path that connects Faraja to the school chapel. In time, the trees will bear fruit, and Joann and Don are excited to see children nourished from the trees. A deep sense of compassion follows Joann and Don wherever they go; their environment does not dictate the amount of love given and they possess the ability to help people see that they are valued and understood.

With help from Joann and Don, the Faraja School continues to give comfort, education and medical attention to children with disabilities. They continuously look for innovative ways to keep the school running through donations, and even offer opportunities for student sponsorship. Through the success of their school, Joann and Don are building a culture of self-worth for disabled children in Tanzania, and demonstrating to the community the powerful truth that disability does not mean inability.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Don and Joann? Visit All For Good to find local volunteer opportunities.

Georgia Teen Brings Nostalgia and Excitement Back Into Lives of Elderly with ‘Old Time Candy at Old Time Prices’

Whether it’s a Snickers bar, a bag of Skittles, or some licorice twists, we all have our favorite candies from when we were young. One bite can instantly transport you to the memories of your childhood and put you in a good mood. Well, that’s just what Ben Trofemuk does with his current service project called “We are More Alike than We Thought.”

With “The Candy Man” song playing in the background, Ben and his friend, Kendall Joyner, wheel a candy cart filled with old-fashioned candy down the halls of local nursing homes to provide elderly residents with a taste of the good old days.

When Ben was in seventh grade, the state superintendent of his school challenged him to start a service project that helped children living in poverty. The project allowed him to raise over $2,000 to supply every third grader at a local elementary school with uniforms and it sparked his passion for helping others. That spark has now grown into a fire and Ben, currently a junior in high school, has completed multiple service projects including raising over $1,800 to bring a science field day to the elementary school he attended. He is continuously looking for new ways to help young children and the elderly. Ben is today’s Daily Point of Light honoree and Points of Light spoke to him to learn more about his volunteer work.  

What inspires you to volunteer?

I volunteer with people who need a little help.  Sometimes these are people who are forgotten by their community.  The elementary kids and the elderly are the most interesting to me.  I enjoy raising money to help these groups of forgotten people in our community.

Describe your volunteer role.  

After learning from Mr. BJ Shephard, a third grade teacher, that many students living in poverty don’t have uniforms that are clean and well-fitting, I raised over $2,000 to buy a complete uniform for the entire 3rd grade at LH Williams Elementary School in Macon, Ga.  The uniform was made up of a pair of pants, a shirt, a pack of underwear, a pack of socks and a belt.  Office Depot was very kind and donated some items like pens, thumb drive, etc.  I had no idea that children come to school in dirty clothes that might be too tight or too big.  They might not have on underwear.  How can you learn if you are distracted by all of this? I set out to fix this. This project led me to do more on my own.  

One evening I had a conversation with my aunt who works for a group of nursing homes. She was sharing with me how little money senior citizens have after paying their monthly bills out of Social Security.  She told me that sometimes there wasn’t enough money for them to have little treats and sodas. I knew I could change this. I enlisted the help of my friend, Kendall Joyner and we brought a Senior Summer Camp to the residents of Eastview Nursing Center. We called our project “We are more alike than we thought” because we learned that we had quite a bit in common with the elderly.  We like to eat snacks and sodas, play games, and watch TV. We taught them things we like to do. We built simple target systems and taught them how to shoot Nerf guns.  It has been a popular activity and it brings out the kid in everyone. It is so much fun for them and for us.  

Our Senior Citizen Summer Camp was such a big hit that we have gone to several other nursing homes.  We have built numerous target systems and have given them away. I have taught part of the science day that I taught fifth graders to senior citizens in a nursing home. They still love to learn. They ask interesting questions and sometimes we learn together.

Our new activity is a candy cart.  We provide “Old Time Candy at Old Time Prices.” We sell candy from the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s to senior citizens for the price of a penny or a nickel that they receive when they hit a target during our Nerf gun activity.  Kendall and I learned from our Mentor, Dr. Michelle Gowan that the memory is like a pen.  When you first write with it, the ink is strong and dark.  As you get older, the writing starts to fade and it is hard to read.  It is so neat to see a person who can’t remember things about that morning tell you all about buying three butterscotch candies for a penny in their past.  They can tell you the name of the store, the town they lived in and lots of other details.  It is amazing how some simple candy helps these people remember things that happened before I was born.  

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

The most rewarding part of my work has been seeing a person learn something new and enjoy it.  I have taught fifth graders about Bernoulli’s principles. I have taught the elderly how to shoot Nerf guns. 

My maternal grandmother died when I was in the third grade.  She had dementia and it is an awful disease.  With the candy cart, Kendall and I are able to bring memories flooding back to these people. It is so fun to see them excited to tell us stories.  

One of my most treasured items are these thank you notes from the students at LH Williams. These are the kids that received the uniforms I purchased. 

Can you share a story of a specific person or moment that stood out to you while you were volunteering?

We went to a nursing home and did Nerf gun day. I was talking to one of the residents and he was more active than the others. He could walk around and was more physically capable. We were standing there talking and he asked me what I was doing tomorrow. I said that I was going to be back here to do a science day. We went on to talk about aerodynamics and he said, “I’m so thankful for all the liveliness that you brought back into this nursing home.”

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

I have learned a lot over these last few years.  My favorite Bible verse is 1 Timothy 4:12.  “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  It would have been easy to say that at age 14 I was too young to do anything to help a bunch of third graders.  It would have been easier to sit at home during the summer and play video games instead of shooting Nerf guns with the elderly. I have learned that my community of friends and family support me a lot.  They donate to my projects. They believe this world can be a better place. It might be as simple as donating $20 to buy a kid a new pair of pants or donating three boxes of Little Debbie Cakes that I can give to senior citizens. People want to see teens get involved and make this world a better place.  

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about? 

We will be taking our candy cart to a senior living center in October. We will also be taking our Nerf guns to a nursing home in the fall. We expect to do Senior Summer Camp again next summer at a local nursing home.  

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back? 

There are a lot of people out there that people don’t recognize. They need to be. There are so many people on the streets out there in my city, Macon, that don’t have the things that I have right now. I’m standing in my living room with a nice TV and air conditioning all around me, but they don’t have that. When I realized this back in 9th grade, it was a call of action. I prayed about it and I finally decided to do something about it because I felt like it was wrong.

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

Get out and do something, anything. Take some old time candy to friends in a nursing home.  Get them to tell you stories from their childhood.  Teach them something you enjoy. I promise you that every person I have met likes to shoot Nerf guns. It makes people smile. I want people to make the community they are in better by bringing a smile to someone’s face.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Ben? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

This Post was written by Alicia Lee.

Retiree Helps Feed a Community

Lou Woltering spent 30 years working at the US Forest Service, honing his abilities as a leader and administrator.  For the past eight years, Lou, with his wife and partner Kay by his side, has used those hard won skills to directly impact the senior citizen community, raise funds, and organize volunteers to feed the needy in his town of Mayhill, New Mexico.  At 70, he’s served two terms as president of the Mayhill Community Center Board, assessing the needs of seniors and doing everything it takes to get the job done.

Lou is making a difference in his community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award Honoree. Points of Light spoke with Lou about his commitment to service

What inspires you to volunteer? 

The opportunity to serve, minister to, bless, and meet the needs of individuals and families in our community and surrounding area.

Describe your volunteer role. 

It has grown, taken on a life of its own! While volunteering for the Mayhill Volunteer Fire Department as a fire fighter and first responder in 2010, I learned that the Mayhill Community Center Board (MCCB) needed a president, and I stepped up.  My first goal was to figure out a way to start a weekly hot meal program for senior citizens at the Community Center.  We didn’t have a kitchen, so we partnered with the Senior Center in Cloudcroft, 19 miles away, which agreed to cook and deliver hot meals. My job was to meet all state requirements for food service.  That required writing grants, getting donations, and holding fundraisers to secure funds to buy the necessary appliances, meet ADA requirements and other state parameters.  I also developed a volunteer program to set up serve and clean up after the meal each week. In 2013 we became certified to serve hot food and we served our first hot meal on April 25, 2013.  The program was so successful that it grew to two hot meals a week. We serve 15-20 local senior citizens twice a week, year round and an additional 20-25 summer attendees when RVers come to the mountains.  More fundraising allowed us to become a fully state certified kitchen in 2016, so we could cook our own hot meals.  We also used funds and labor donations to build a 20’ X 20’ storage building and an emergency stand-by generator if and when we have to operate as a county designated Emergency Natural Disaster Evacuation and Operations Center. In March 2017, we partnered with Mayhill Baptist Church to use their fellowship hall and parking lot as a Roadrunner food distribution point.  Every month we are able to distribute more than 50 pounds of fruits, vegetables and groceries to 40-plus individuals and families in Mayhill and surrounding small mountain communities.

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

Originally I thought that providing the hot meal would be the best part of the senior meal program, but the best part has been seeing the fellowship, friendships, camaraderie, and love that participants in both the senior meal program and the Roadrunner program have for one another.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

The blessings you receive in serving people are far greater than any you can give out.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

After eight years serving as president of the MCCB I will step out of that role at the end of this year.I do have a vision of one day helping to secure support and funding to expand the size of the MCC building so we can serve additional people for large events and also have larger restrooms, and a separate room where folks can relax, watch TV or movies, play games, and fellowship with one another in a comfortable setting.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

Because of our strong faith in God, my wife and I believe God wants us to reach out and serve other people with the gifts and talents He has given us.It helps us unite individuals, families, and communities which are the backbone of our great nation.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Having a vision for your community and diligently working toward that vision is very rewarding and produces long term benefits to individuals and families that can last for generations.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Lou Woltering? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Feeding Community One Vegetable at a Time 

At the tender age of eight, Ian McKenna found out that one of his classmates didn’t have meals at home, outside of school lunches.  Moved by empathy beyond his years, Ian was inspired to make a difference by creating a Giving Garden to provide free produce to classmates facing food insecurity and hunger.  Now 14, Ian has donated thousands of pounds of organic produce to those in need. He’s also spearheaded community education programming, cooking demos and community dinners.  Committed to leavening all giving with dignity and respect, Ian hosts pop up farmers markets in low income housing communities, empowering residents to make their own choices to help them feed their families. 

Ian is committed to making a difference in his community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Awardhonoree. Points of Light spoke with Ian about his commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Knowing my classmates relied on school breakfast or lunch for nutrition really got me thinking about ways I could help them. I couldn’t imagine coming to school hungry and trying to focus on learning so I took a leap and began my project. I am inspired by providing fresh produce to families in need by hosting pop up farmers markets in areas deemed food deserts. The interactions with my customers is so rewarding and they always appreciate that they are given choice in the donation process. It’s always a good feeling to see how excited the people get when they receive fresh produce.

 Describe your volunteer role. 

I developed my initial project, which I called the ‘Giving Garden’, and served as the project lead. I invited friends, classmates, teachers and community members to assist in the building of my first garden. Additionally, I applied to become a Katie’s Krops grower, which allows me to grow and donate 100 percent to hunger relief organizations or directly to families in need. I also serve on the Katie’s Krops Youth Advisory Board, where I mentor other children working to end hunger. I spend about 10-12 hours per week between my Katie’s Krops garden and the school gardens and hosting distribution events. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part of my work is on produce distribution days. I love hearing stories from a person reminiscing about memories of a certain vegetable, or their family food history.  I love seeing how excited someone gets when they see their favorite vegetable is available to them or when a child asks to try a new vegetable and likes it. I love knowing how all the work I’ve done is making a difference for a person facing hunger or food insecurity. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

My experience has opened my eyes to a social justice issue I had no idea existed. Many people face hardships at some point for reasons beyond their control like a family facing catastrophic illness or natural disaster, a single parent struggling to make ends meet, elderly people on a fixed income or someone who’s lost their job. We just don’t know what others are going through and shouldn’t judge them. Empathy and kindness are so important. I’ve learned to be empowered to take action so I can make a difference, but also how to inspire others and serve as a leader for other youth. 

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

I work with so many wonderful community partners and organizations, but I am really excited to continue in my role at Katie’s Krops. It’s such a rewarding experience and I love how much support I receive. I joined a new club at school this year and am hopeful that it will be a great partnership for teaching other students living in neighborhoods that are food deserts how to grow their food. 

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

I believe that giving back creates a strong sense of community and brings people from diverse backgrounds to work together for the greater good. It also creates a sense of ownership for those involved. At the schools where the children are actively involved in the garden projects, the program is more successful. Each act of kindness can inspire others to make a difference in their community. I also believe that giving back instills positive values in children so they can develop ideals and become future leaders. 

What do you want people to learn from your story?

In the great words of Dr. Seuss, “A person’s a person no matter how small.” Everybody matters and anyone can make a difference. It doesn’t mater how old you are. If you have a passion to make a difference, go ahead and try. You don’t have to make a huge time commitment or spend a lot of money. You can do simple things like plant one extra plant when starting your garden so you can share extra produce with someone in need or donate fresh vegetables to a food pantry that rarely gets fresh food. One pound of food can make all the difference for a family who is struggling to put food on their table. You may think you’re only providing a meal, but you’re also providing hope and kindness. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Ian? Visit All for Good for local volunteer opportunities.