Helping Hands = Making a Difference, By Lauren Anderson, Age 11

Being a military child can be tough. Making a difference in the community is something each person in the military does. You can do it, too! Making a difference in the community is something I not only enjoy doing, but it is also something that can relieve stress.

I like to make a difference by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate of the Year. This job of being the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate required me to raise money, collect donations, auction items, and do different types of fundraisers. As a result of all my hard work I put into the fund raiser, I went to a dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and was able to take my friends and individuals that have made a difference in my life. These people included my three closest friends, my Mom, Grandma, two of my Grandma's friends, and my fifth grade homeroom teacher. I received a gift from my teacher. It was a Willow Tree figurine and was very neat. My Dad was not able to make it due to being stationed at Fort Leavenworth for a school that he had to complete for the Army.

Helping your community is not only good for everyone involved, it is also good for you. You learn responsibility and many other things. I believe that my parents have raised me to help the community in any way possible. My Dad helps fight for the freedom of our country and I want to help my community, too.

In 2008, I raised over two thousand dollars for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I would encourage everybody, military children or not, to find a cause they like and fully support it. Helping makes you a better person.

If you join a cause, be prepared to fully participate. Do not start and quit in the middle. It is a task that can take up a lot of your spare time. You want to put forth your best effort with the intent of helping others. It gives you satisfaction that you did something good for your community. My favorite part about helping the community is the feeling that you have helped to improve it for the better.

As a military child, giving back is just one trait that I have and am very proud of it. By serving your community, you could save someone's life and I consider that an honor. The world can be a better place just by doing one small thing. You do not have to do many great big things, but you can do one small act of kindness and might make an impact on someone's life. In order to be good at helping, you need to be fully committed and ready to serve. It is tough work, but it is definitely worth the work and time.

Loving what you are doing is also very important. If you do not fully understand and get what you are doing, you won't ever reach your full potential. It doesn't matter your color, height, weight, age, history, or anything else. You can help!



About Lauren Anderson

Lauren Anderson was born May 8, 1998 in Bambergl Germany. Her father is a US Army Field Artillery Officer and her mother is a stay-at-home mom. She is the oldest of three girls. Lauren is an athlete having competed in gymnastics, played soccer, as well as currently playing competitive basketball. Her team traveled to Walt Disney World in the summer of 2009 for the AAU National Championship where they placed 13th. Lauren has also received the "Best Team Player” award from Oklahoma Christian University’s basketball Cage Camp.

Lauren excels in her academic studies, having always had a straight A average. Lauren received the Presidential Award for academic excellence as well as being nominated for the Masonic Award. Lauren is currently in sixth grade and serves on her student council at school.

Lauren’s faith is very important to her. She enjoys attending church regularly as well as the many activities that her youth group does. Lauren hopes to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemistry.