Britt Brandon, Austin.
"Life is bigger than my own little world and we all have a responsibility to give out of our own personal abundance."
After a service trip to Thailand, Britt returned home with a desire to be an advocate for the orphans he met there. As a founding member of Austin Christian Leadership Academy, Britt initiated a project that matched donors with 178 orphans and displaced children. He led a project to raise money for medical treatments enabling an 11 year-old Thai boy walk for the first time. In addition, Britt mentors school age children, is a youth facilitator for Education in Action's summer leadership camps, and volunteers with Candlelighter's Childhood Cancer Organization. To learn more about Britt's work, click here.
Cara McFarlane, Coppell.
"Service is my therapy. Service is my anti-drug. Service is my Friday nights, and my Saturday mornings."
Service sits at the center of Cara's life. Founding Austin Street Youth was a way for her to offer an interactive service experience for the youth of Coppell. As a student run organization that feeds the homeless in Dallas once a month, Cara leads a group of students as they raise funds to buy food and supplies, prepare the meal Friday night and head downtown at 4 am to feed the woman, children and men who live on the streets of Dallas. Cara is also working with her high school to create a welcome video and mentoring program for students who are new to Coppell next year. To learn more about Cara's work, click here.
Christopher Martz, New Braunfels.
"Service to me is thinking outside yourself. Looking at those around you that are in need and putting their needs first."
While recovering from a car accident that killed his father and left him with a traumatic brain injury, Chris' mother and sisters relied on the comfort of Ronald McDonald House during his long recovery. When Chris started high school, he noticed a Ronald McDonald House just down the street. Still recovering from his own accident, Chris wanted to repay the kindness shown his family by helping families during this difficult time in their lives. He created a toy and gift drive to brighten the holidays for families living in Ronald McDonald House. Chris recruited friends, community groups and businesses to donate toys and volunteer their time with the effort. This year Chris managed 200 volunteers during the toy and gift drive that now supports Ronald McDonald Houses throughout South Texas. As result of Chris' efforts many businesses are year round supporters of Ronald McDonald House.
To learn more about Chris' work, click here.
Service Award Recipients 2010
YouthLaunch also honored six outstanding participants from our No Kidding, Urban Roots and Youth Partnership for Change programs.