"Since I joined, I have found a new part of me that is driven by healing others," he said. "I have a new-found compassion for helping those who are less fortunate and I really love seeing their grateful faces."
Ryan has also helped start and lead the Hands4Hope Club at Marina. They are in their second year and the club has been very successful. Just this year, they collected more than 1,600 pairs of socks and raised money at hot chocolate sales for the Heifer Project. He says the experience of the club has been rewarding and also challenging. "The hardest part is channeling 25 distracted teenage minds into one purpose and common goal," he said.
"I have been forced out of my comfort zone multiple times in Hands4Hope," he explained. "During my first outreaches, I had a fear and dislike of the homeless. These experiences opened by mind and heart to others."
While volunteering at the Winter Boutique, Ryan said he was touched by a 5 year old boy in need who visited looking for new clothing. "He was so excited to get new things and his happiness lit up the entire room," he said. "This showed me the effect of our good work!"
2012
This is from the beginning!
2011 Winter Boutique
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