I'm going to give you a partial list of items, and you guess whose list this is. Ready? 250 dozen chocolate chip cookies, 25 Lemonade Stands, 500,000 diapers, 13 Wishes, 34 College Scholarships, 915 Birthdays in a Bag, 19 Walks with Santa, 12 painted classrooms, 3 Cows, 7 Goats.
The list goes on. And it's impressive. Over the past 25 years, Youth In Action has been raising money and donating items to kids and families in our community and around the world. The three cows and seven goats, for example, were donated to families in Uganda. The 34 college scholarships were awarded to local YIA kids.
Youth In Action is a non-profit organization founded upon a simple concept – allow kids to change other people's lives positively and, in the process, positively change their own lives. In 1994, Kirkwood resident, Keith Rawlings, noticed a lot of kids hanging around town with not a lot to do after school and over the summer. So, Keith began to work with churches and local schools to create organized events. "I knew that if we got the kids together, we could do something positive for someone in the community while allowing them to meet other kids," said Keith.
Today, Youth In Action invites kids from any school, even home schools, to join. Currently, there are 13 different schools represented. As the Executive Director, Keith's goal is to motivate 6th - 12th graders to make positive contributions to people's lives across the street and around the world. When kids join the group, they list their favorite things to do. Bake or build, sports or sewing, being outside in the sun or working inside on computer programs – every child's individual passion is also a valued skill. "Everyone is welcome," states Keith.
Youth In Action graduate Amelia Parker notes the impact that Keith and the organization had on her life. "Growing up in one of the few Indian-American families in the Kirkwood community, it was comforting and refreshing to meet someone like Keith, who sees others as human beings first. Under Keith's direction, YIA has sponsored countless projects that have improved the lives of the disadvantaged, less fortunate, and minorities in our community."
Youth In Action's yearly budget is around $20,000. The kids raise 80% of that number themselves through fundraisers such as car washes, lemonade stands, bake sales, and the Green Tree Festival. "The kid's work counts as service hours for their schools, but it also allows them to form friendships with kids from other schools," Keith notes. "Most importantly, they raise the money and then they give away." The life lessons that come with being a part of this organization are remarkable.
From "Kids Against Hunger" to "Make-A-Wish," the list of projects and places YIA kids have supported is long. Even now, during COVID-19, the kids are still finding ways to contribute to the community. Their latest project is creating coloring book bags to deliver to local children's hospitals. A pandemic isn't going to stop their passion for helping. Although, it is putting a significant dent in their ability to fundraise for future donations. Keith and the kids are brainstorming ways to continue to serve.
Want to help? Contact Keith at (314) 821 4042 or keith4yia@yahoo.com. There is a long list of ways your kids, your dollars, and your donations can help.