Official Kids Mag

DISNEY GRANT HELPS LOCAL KID HELP OTHERS Springdale athlete donates grant, helps nonprofits When you talk to Alex Reynolds, you understand he is serious about public service. "It isn't that hard to start taking initiative and volunteering," he said. "It's easy to work for your community and it's a good way to show that you care for people." Alex, 11, goes to middle school in Springdale. He was recently named an All American with Diamond Sports Group for football and was named a Giving Scholar Athlete of the Year. He recently received a $500 grant from Disney for charitable use. "I heard about their Summer of Giving online and through commercials," he said. "I thought maybe I could be a recipient of one of those grants. So, with some guidance from my parents, I wrote the grant and followed through on what the guidelines were. I was a lucky recipient." I think those in the community were the lucky ones. Alex put the $500 grant to good use in short order. "We donated the $500 to a shelter," he told me. "Then we found another nonprofit and they needed someone to help with Easter baskets and we did that." Alex said he likes making a difference. In fact, Alex also applied for and received a 911 Grant and used those funds to distribute hygiene packs in local schools. BLESSING BAGS… ONE KID'S WAY TO HELP OUT Foster kids benefit from girls efforts Maija Ruth is just getting started helping out in her community. "I've been volunteering a year," the 8-year-old, who attends Owl Creek Elementary in Fayetteville, said. "My mom and dad started making Blessing Bags. I was like, 'What are you doing?' They started telling me about it. I was like, 'Can I help?' and they were like, 'Sure.' I started getting into it and started helping them." Maija is quick to explain the goal of Blessing Bags and how they help foster families and foster children. "Foster kids don't have anything," she told me. "I have a lot of toys. They probably have none. So, if we give them some toys and donate to them, then they will have stuff too." Once Maija started to better understand the circumstances often faced by foster children and families, her empathy was apparent. "They don't have parents or anything," she explained. "I feel really sad for them. It's very hard for them." During her time packing Blessing Bags she has had the opportunity to meet foster kids and better understand their challenges. "I know some foster kids," she said. "It makes it more important to me. They go through a lot of stuff. I wish my mom and dad could take them, but they can't because they already have a lot." The Blessing Bag crew hosts events to pack bags with items foster kids will need... lotions, tooth paste, tooth brushes, body wash and blankets. Maija circulates flyers at those events to educates people about the need for donations and financial support. "I just want to make it better for them," she said. "I just want them to be better." 10 • Off icial Kids Mag • FEBRUARY 2018

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