How many times have you asked yourself if you as a single individual could make a difference? How many times have you come up with the answer NO?
Well, that word does not exist in the minds of these extraordinary children I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing at the annual Kids are Heroes Day in Frederick, MD. To try to even describe the way that these children inspire me is futile, but I’m going to try. I’m going to tell you their stories and hope you’ll keep reading because you should. Because it will make you realize and understand that if a 4th grader can raise over $7000 for a cause he cares deeply about, then the only thing that is stopping any of us from truly making a difference is ourselves.
To give a bit a background, let me tell you about Kids are Heroes. The organization was created by MaryMargaret in efforts to form a community and philanthropic forum for kids across the nation to connect on and inspire one another. The organization has continued to grow and kids spanning the continental US are part of this wonderful group and are all making significant differences in their community and communities abroad. Kids are Heroes Day is an annual event that is held to recognize these children and their amazing efforts and I was honored to be there to capture it. There were so many inspirational stories, and while I can’t share them all, I have picked out a few to tell to you today in hopes that they might inspire you too…
I have to start this post with a truly amazing child, Austin Pierce, who simply has to be one of the most positive individuals I’ve ever met, despite everything he has to overcome. Being wheelchair bound has NOT stopped him one bit and this little boy continues to inspire and amaze others around him.
For me, meeting someone like Austin is like breathing in fresh air. It is a true reminder of how we take so much for granted and how we make so many small, insignificant things in life bigger than they need to be, when all we really need to be doing is enjoying life…and smiling. So because of that, I am going to ask a favor of everyone. I know my blog readership doesn’t extend as far as one might hope, but I am ASKING YOU to make a difference and send this to everyone you know. Austin has a wish. He wishes for a Extreme Home Makeover so that his home can be free of steps and stairs with a lower sink so that he can help his mom wash dishes – so that he can do the things that we all take for granted every single day.
If these children have taught me anything, it’s that one person CAN make a difference so I’m asking you to step up and be that person. Because if we can all spread the word, it’s possible that we can reach the right people. WATCH AUSTIN’S STORY HERE. You will NOT regret the 3 minutes it takes….
This is Austin.
This is Austin and his sister Calista.
Calista is pretty amazing herself and probably the best sister in the entire world! In 2006 when she overheard that the Special Olympics program in their county was going to be cut back due to a lack of funds, she decided she wanted to do something to help her brother Austin (who loves competing) and others in the program as well. She created Calista Cares and began making and selling crafts, jewelry, baked goods, etc. In 2 years, she raised around $5000 – absolutely amazing. She is loving, caring girl who is also quite talented in the arts as well.
Addison is a dog lover and is actively involved in Wags for Hope, a local pet therapy organization, with his greyhound, Nocchi. He also appears to be a budding photographer as I caught numerous times throughout the day snapping photos! He is mature, thoughtful and very compassionate for his age.
Casey is 5 years old and ADORES cats. She adores them so much that in lieu of gifts for her past birthday, she asked for donations to give to her favorite animal organization, Pets-4-Pets. She also has donated her hair to Locks of Love twice and participates in the annual Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome. She is a selfless, caring and extremely generous individual and she has the sweetest eyes and cutest blond hair I’ve ever seen! But the part that touched me most about Casey was the way she interacted with her younger sister and the way she included her to be a part of this wonderful day, paving the room for another little hero to be.
Casey wrote and illustrated a book, which she was selling and autographing for donations to be given to Pets-4-Pets.
Evan is a minature adult in every sense of the word. I was impressed by him and his outgoing personality and ability to speak to his cause and why he feels so passionately about it. Evan is on a mission to provide clean drinking around the world by raising money to buy wells through the project “Water for Life.” It costs $4800 to buy a well and that well will provide clean drinking water for an entire village. This young boy has already raised $7000!!!! Drive and determine can take people to very far places when they feel passionate enough about anything.
Kayleigh is also a dog lover and an incredibly compassionate person. When she learned that all of the K-9 dogs at her father’s department did not get to wear ballistic vests to protect them, she felt it was up to her to protect them. So she set out to buy all the K-9s ballistic vests – she sold her toys, t-shirts, stickers and attended events to raise funds. So far she has been able to buy 4 ballistic vests. While Kayleigh loves all of the dogs, she does has one favorite and the photo below was her showing us what he looked like!!!
And last but not least is MaryMargaret, the co-founded of Kids are Heroes. She is an extraordinary young woman who is going to do many amazing things in her lifetime. Her current project is to raise money to buy iPods for children in the hospital. She also happens to be a very talented singer. I love the two bottom photos because they remind me that she really is just a kid in high-top sneakers and pink watches and bangles doing extraordinary things for her age…
To learn more about this awesome organization, make a donation, or get involved, visit them at www.kidsareheroes.com or follow them on Twitter: http://twitter.com/KidsAreHeroes
Gorgeous work! Go Kids Are Heroes!!!
Michelle, your photos are amazing! You truly captured the joy in the hearts of these young ones.
I’m sending in an application for Extreme Makeover Home Edition and am encouraging everyone I know to do the same. Austin truly touched my heart. If our kids can do such amazing things, why shouldn’t a group of adults be able to do the same?!?! Would you mind if I provided them the link to Austin’s story?
Misty, of COURSE you can provide the link for both the video and the blog posting. Whatever it takes for us to help make this happen for Austin and his family!!!!
Very inspiring– May God bless these wonderful children :) Great photos!
Wow Michelle!! I just love them and I know the parents will too! We were SO LUCKY to have you available for that day. The colors and expressions are all so wonderful. Thank you so much. :) -Gabe
THIS IS AWESOME! Thank you for photographing this amazing event! Kids are SO inspiring! xo!