Feb. 7, 2022
By Caila Barreiros
Staff Writer
Volunteering has been a mission of mine for many years now. In fact, it is so important to me that in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, I founded my own non-profit organization called Kindness In Motion.
Using the platform I have been given through my participation in pageantry, I have been able to help children, spread my love for volunteering and educate people about why giving back is so essential.
Now I have embarked on Kindness in Motion’s biggest project to date by organizing a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Last year, I located a small K-9 school called Escuela Rural Arroyo Caña in a town called Arroyo Caña. Through a family friend, I learned that this school, which had been hit by a cyclone and rebuilt, is in dire need of essential supplies for its 75 students.
Instantly, I knew that my community and so many others would be willing to help. However, I had no idea how many people would want to help and how big this project would become. I realized that I could make my goal as large as I wanted because I have so much support from the people and organizations in my life. From the Computer Club to the World Language Honor Society, everyone is pitching in to make a difference in the lives of the 75 children who attend Escuela Rural Arroyo Caña.
I hope to teach my family, friends and peers across multiple states that they have the power to positively impact the lives of people they do not even know.
I still have a month to go in my collection drive, and I have already received bars of soap, brand new backpacks, hairbrushes, pencil cases, school supplies, socks and so much more items. Additionally, I am collecting money to order pizza and ice cream for the students and staff. I hope my efforts will change their lives because they will know that people in the U.S. came together to help them and give them something special.
My objective is that this drive will impact my own community as well as the children who receive the donations. I hope to teach my family, friends and peers across multiple states that they have the power to positively impact the lives of people they do not even know.
Initially, I planned to deliver the collection in person during a trip I would take at the end of April. However, due to Covid-19, I may need to ship the items instead and have a family friend in the area deliver them on my behalf.
If you would like to help me reach my donation goal or if you have a club or organization that would be willing to contribute, you can contact my organization at: kindnessinmotion21@gmail.com
I would be most grateful for your support.
