My name is Sadie I'm 14 and when I was in 8th grade I started a foundation called Gifts for Goodness (G4G). G4G is my way of helpin out in the world, I started it to raise money for homeless men and teenaged boys to get the winter essentials they need. Last year I was able to raise over 1 thousand dollars and was able to buy enough items to fill 400 bags to give to the homeless men and teen boys on Christmas Eve. My goal for this year was to raise 2 thousand dollars but instead I raised over 3 thousand dollars. I was able to purchase items for 400 men again but this time much better things. We bought wool socks instead of cotton and they got 4 sticks of beef jerky instead of two, some other things we bought were, playing cards, gloves, hats, hand warmers, razors,and, toothbrushes and toothpaste. But there was one thing that I gave them that I know can't be bought and that is to know that they are loved. On every single bag we tied a tag that said "You are loved!" I want them to know that someone out there cares about them.

I cant beleive how big Gifts for goodness has gotten, my school is involved as well as my church. People from all over the country send me donations and I've even been in the local newspaper! I have wanted to get the word out to not just my communtiy but the entire country so people know how tough it is to be homeless during the freezing Minnesota winters. I am so excited that I can share this with people and be able to reach out and help. I want all the teen girls out there to know that it isn't hard to help. You dont have to start a foundation or anything like that just donate time or sponsor a child with your allowance. You could use your allowance to purchase a flock of chickens from Heifer International. All you have to do is look around and you'll find a way to help. Your school probably has a volunteer group and if not talk to a teacher and start one. Talk to adults you know and they are bound to know something about how you can help. It's so easy!

I wish there was a way to end all the worlds problems, but reality is there really is one huge thing that can do that, but like Gandhi said "Be the change you wish to see in the world," because if you do that then the world is one step closer to being an even better place than it is. Just be safe, be happy, and be the helping hand that is needed in your community. All you have to do is look and you'll find your own special way to help.