Amazing 12 Year Old Demonstrates the Spirit of Volunteerism

     Meet Samantha!  Samantha is a compassionate, highly motivated, energetic, self-starting, gung-ho student from Stuart Middle School.  A few months ago, Samantha and her father came to volunteer orientation at Wayside Christian Mission.  During orientation, she told of her interest in working with young children.  Normally, college students are referred as volunteers for the Resilient Families Program led by Dr. Lora Haynes of the University of Louisville, but Samantha impressed everyone with her dedication and maturity.  As such, she became the youngest volunteer to serve in this program.  By the way, Dr. Haynes speaks highly of her twelve year old protégé!  She’s a worker!

   

     Samantha wanted to do more, so she had been collecting toilet paper for the mission. Toilet paper?  With over six hundred women, men, and children in our care, we go through a lot of toilet paper!  Samantha understands that money we do not have to spend on toilet paper can be used to fund our many educational and vocational programs!  Samantha has made two drop-offs thus far with a promise that more toilet paper is on the way.

 

     Samantha is a twelve year old middle school student.  Many of us are three, four, five, or six times her age, yet we cannot seem to find time for helping the homeless.  Maybe we could all learn a lot about compassion and dedication from this amazing kid.  Thanks, Samantha, for caring!  You’re the best!