At right: Kori shows off a piece of artwork that was auctioned at the Brackett Impact Foundation fundraiser.

Community service is time well spent

by Emily Davis

Your time does make a difference. The time spent walking on the track for Relay for Life could save a life of a cancer patient. The time spent raising money for school libraries could make a child love to read. The time spent making and distributing posters of animals in the local shelter could help a pet find a loving home. Volunteering your time does make the world a better place.

Completing community service makes me feel proud inside knowing that I do something to benefit others. It teaches me that caring for people, animals, and our environment is worthwhile. No one loses. You feel good about yourself, and you are helping others at the same time.

My parents have always been role models to me because of their involvement in the community. Throughout the years, many school and church service projects have included our whole family working together. They have supported and encouraged me in my leadership roles. I am involved in student council, FFA, 4-H, and the youth group at my church. As a young girl, I was shy around others, but now I have more confidence in myself. I believe being involved in a variety of organizations has allowed me to make more friends as well.

My community service is time well spent and what a difference it has made in the lives of others. When you give your time, it makes our community a better place.




Katrina Messmer • Celestine, Ind.
Eighth Grade,
Dubois Middle School

Her parents are members of Dubois REC.

Katrina has done over 320 hours of community service trying to earn the Gold Level of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

She is active in school and church organizations and Girl Scouts, and has volunteered at The Waters, an assisted living center in Jasper, a car wash for March for Babies, American Cancer Society and more.

Noted Kennetta Welp, a Girl Scout director in Katrina’s area, “Katrina is a special young woman with a big heart. She enjoys volunteering and is always willing to help when needed.”





Elizabeth Webb • Fowler, Ind.
Sixth Grade,
Home-schooled

Her parents are members of Newton County REMC.

Elizabeth is in her third year as chairwoman of an annual shampoo drive at her church that last year collected 750 bottles for the inmates at the Indiana Women’s Prison. She and her mother also make angel soap and packaged bags of candy donated by area merchants, and make Christmas cards for the women there.

“Elizabeth is always thinking, always believing and always planning ways to help these women in prison whom some may even view as unworthy,” noted Liz Rainey, wife of Elizabeth’s church pastor. “Elizabeth’s empathy and enthusiasm for serving these women sparks a fire in others and challenges them to follow her in her mission.”


The decision to care

by Elizabeth Anne Webb

One fall night in 2005 at church, the leaders handed out information about a shampoo drive for the Indiana Women’s Prison. On the way home that night, I told my parents about the drive, and I stated, “I am not going to donate any shampoo to those evil women.”

My parents were shocked. They did not understand where I got the idea they were “evil.” We had several long talks, and they explained to me about how they were trying to teach me to make wise decisions and how they provide me with a safe and loving environment where all my needs are met. My parents explained that not all girls have the same kind of childhood. Some are not taught about making wise decisions or even have been shown love. Often as a result, they get into trouble by making poor decisions.

When girls make one bad decision after another, they can end up in prison. This is why most of them are there. I then realized I wanted to show them that someone cared about them.

I counted all my change and went and bought shampoo. I went around town and asked for donations. I collected almost 70 bottles. I was very proud. The next year, I collected over 130 bottles. My parents and I decided that we wanted to do more, so we bought individually wrapped candy and made small bags of candy for each of the women. My mom and I also made homemade angel soap for all of the women. I make small cards with a note on them and attach them with curly ribbon to make them look pretty.

Early in 2007, the chairwoman of the shampoo drive left our church. I knew I needed to become the chairwoman. In 2007, when I delivered shampoo to the prison chaplain, she brought along her friend, Cindy. While transferring the shampoo, candy and soap, Cindy got teary-eyed. After we were done, Cindy hugged me. She told me that she was an ex-offender and had been at Indiana Women’s Prison. She told me how much it meant to the women to know someone cared about them. I was so happy that they knew I cared.

This is my passion: showing the women I care.