Volunteer Spotlight: Aden and Lauren

Aden and Lauren are only nine and seven years old, but they are already making big contributions to their community.  These two youth volunteers have been involved in Hands4Hope for nearly two years, helping in many of the community outreach programs.

When asked what kinds of volunteer work they do for Hands4Hope, Aden and Lauren explained that they feed the homeless, raise money for food shelters, make care packages for soldiers and make blankets for shelters and dog toys for homeless dogs. 

Aden and Lauren attend Jackson Elementary School in first and third grades, where they are involved in the Toiletries Drive.  “We collect soap, conditioner, sunscreen, diapers, toilet paper and toothbrushes to donate to those people who don’t have them but need them,” said Aden and Lauren. 

Lauren said that her favorite volunteer outreach with Hands4Hope is feeding the homeless and making cards for them, adding “but almost everything at Hands4Hope is really fun.” 

Aden likes meeting up with his friends at The Team Hope elementary school club to decide on a new volunteer project to do.  This year, Aden is very excited to be involved in raising money for the Heifer Project. 

Heifer Project is an organization that takes animals to villages in third world countries. Rather than bringing them food and clothing, the organization teaches them how to use these animals as a means to make money. The village people have to reproduce these animals and give them to someone in their village.

“The kids set a goal to raise $80 to buy rabbits and chicks,” explained Katie, Aden and Lauren’s mom.  “So far, Team Hope has exceeded their goal so the kids will meet to vote on what to buy with the additional money.  The choice is either more animals for Heifer Project, or cat food for the Fat Kitty City organization.”

When not volunteering for Hands4Hope, Aden enjoys reading books, playing soccer and baseball, and his favorite subject in school in math.  When he grows up, Aden would like to invent a flying car with monster engines on its side. 

Lauren said that soccer is her favorite activity, while demonstrating a very awesome looking soccer kick.  She also loves gymnastics, singing, dancing and shopping.  Shopping for what?  “Clothes! She loves clothes,” said her brother Aden.  When Lauren grows up, she would like to be a real estate agent and a grocery store checker. 

“I love that my children are involved with Hands4Hope because it has given them a different perspective on the world that parents struggle to get across just using words,” said their mom. “My kids now spend a lot more time doing things for others, and they now realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. They are also learning about setting goals and working as a group towards a greater good.”