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Autumn
New Hampshire
When Autumn saw on the news that a Masai Giraffe named Beau, at the Franklin Park Zoo was sick with a disease that affects his ability to properly digest food, she told her parents that she wanted to help. She made posters and donation cans and placed them in her parents' convenience store and her school. She even donated her birthday money. She finally went to meet Beau and was greeted by the zoo staff and television crews. She had raised $1,148 herself and the publicity inspired others to donate an additional $4,000. |
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Caroline
Texas
At the age of nine, just six months after she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, Caroline formed Caroline's Dream Team, to raise funds for diabetes research through the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at its annual Walk for a Cure. To date, her teams have raised over $200,000. Caroline has also represented her state as part of a lobbying effort in Washington D.C., to increase funding for diabetes research. |
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Dani
British Columbia
Dani is a caring, compassionate young girl and her life has been greatly impacted by diabetes. She has turned her personal three-year struggle into a force of positive energy. Dani is raising money for juvenile diabetes research by recycling old juice boxes, soda and other assorted bottles. In a few months she has raised $1,500 and her enthusiasm has mobilized the Parent Advisory Council and her entire school community to help as well. |
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Fay Marie
Ontario
When Fay visited her grandfather in a nursing facility and noticed that many residents did not receive gifts during the holidays, Fay saved her allowance and collected donations to buy stuffed animals for the residents. She motivated her Dad to dress up as Santa and they personally delivered 100 stuffed animals, spreading holiday cheer to the residents. The following year Fay spearheaded a Christmas Toy Drive for children in her community. Thanks to Fay, more than 350 children celebrated a very special Christmas. |
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Hanna
Colorado
Because Hanna has two sisters who have Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems, she has been passionate about raising money for the local and national Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Hanna speaks at special events, has participated in promotional videos and has organized her own fundraising events such as a garage sale that raised over $500. |
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Jena
Georgia
After seeing many winners in pageants throughout the country and winning the title of Miss Junior National Teenager herself, Jena has created the Prince and Princess of Hope beauty pageant for children with cancer. She wanted to share that winning feeling with kids who had faced the diagnosis of cancer. Now each child in her pageants receives a crown and awards such as best eyes, most stylish or most poised. Jena is a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and has raised over $47,000 to date for the ACS. |
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Krystal
North Carolina
After Krystal's baby brother died from premature birth complications, she turned her own sadness into joy for other families who had infants being treated in local hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Units with her “Blessings from Matthew” program. To alleviate the loneliness felt by these families she recruited people to make quilts that could be given to the infants on Christmas Eve along with a stuffed animal. The program continues to grow each year. |
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Taraneh
Washington
When Taraneh was seven years old she gave up trick or treating for candy and began trick or treating for canned foods to benefit Hopelink, a local food services organization. Since then she has trick or treated for canned goods and expanded her efforts to solicit donations of money. Now Taraneh's neighbors are prepared for her on Halloween. This past year she collected over 300 canned goods and $400. |
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Taylor
Georgia
When Taylor's mom was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, Taylor wanted to do something to help cancer patients. She formed Taylor'd With Love and through a local television news personality she began making autograph hats for children who were undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. She includes a Sharpie and a special note with each hat and loves to give them out personally when she visits hospitals. |
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Warner
Nebraska
When a high school boy died in a grain bin accident, Warner was compelled to educate young people about the dangers associated with grain bins. In one year he personally conducted 138 safety presentations reaching over 124,000 people. He built a miniature grain bin to use in his safety demonstrations. He has obtained corporate funding, designed safety cards and has trained 16 other youths to present the programs. He is even working with teachers and students in other states and Australia to spread the message. |
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Zachary
Rhode Island
Zachary formed a team made up of family and friends for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation walk-a-thon because he wanted to help find a cure for Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes. He had the second largest number of walkers—83—and raised $7,958. Zachary was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes at the age of 10 months and sent out letters to family and friends that he had written himself because his dream is “to take his diabetes away.” |
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People Pick Me Ups (Group Award)
New Jersey
People Pick Me Ups is a volunteer club of 20 children between the ages of 9-18 and is part of the 4-H organization of Somerset County, New Jersey. The objective of People Pick Me Ups is to reach out to those who need attention and kindness. Each month the kids bring animals (rabbits, cats, dogs, hamsters) to nursing homes, hospitals and camps providing a touching, interactive and joyful experience to people that are often forgotten or experiencing difficulties. |