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The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is proud to announce the five newest, nationwide winners of the prestigious Power of Children Awards. 2015 marks the 11th year that young people in grades 6-11, are recognized and rewarded for improving the lives of others through selfless commitment to service and the betterment of society.
In alphabetical order by last name, the 2015 winners are:
- Madison Fanta, Grade 8, Saint John, Indiana
Project: Maddie’s Helping Hands
Madison collects, sorts, stocks, cleans, and distributes clothes for the less fortunate in her community. Now in its fifth year, Maddie’s Helping Hands has expanded into a store within the local food pantry. She gets coveted help from church, scouts and seniors who crochet hats and scarves in addition to working in the clothing store. - Corrine Hindes, Grade 10, Walnut Creek, California
Project: Warm Winters
Corrine keeps the homeless in her community warm throughout the year. She keeps 17 ski resorts in eight states, busy helping her. Corrine collects and cleans winter wear left in the lost and found of ski resorts, then distributes it to those in need. To date, Warm Winters has provided 10,000 clothing items to 6,500 homeless individuals. - Eric Lakomek, Grade 10, Saint John, Indiana
Project: Red Shoe Project
Eric loves sports! He wants everyone to have the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of financial ability. Red Shoe Project is a repository for recycled sports equipment. Through both donations of equipment and money, Eric and seven volunteers are giving his community the gift of fun and fitness. - Will Lourcey, Grade 6, Fort Worth, Texas
Project: FROGs: Friends Reaching Our Goals
Will was seven when he decided to help the hungry. Five years later, by engaging kids in volunteerism, he has impressive results in his quest. Through hosting fun events that raise hunger awareness, Will has also raised enough money to provide over 175,000 meals for families and 50,000 backpacks filled with food for hungry children. - Emma Stumpf, Grade 7, Greenwood, Indiana
Project: Emma’s Art Cart
Emma was only seven when she was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Following 70 grueling weeks of chemotherapy, followed by 6 weeks of radiation, Emma created an art program to provide stimulation and art therapy to hospitalized pediatric patients. Emma’s Art Cart, has now delivered more than 650 art kits to young patients at Riley Hospital for Children over the past half dozen years.
Friday evening, November 13, 2015, these remarkable young people will be honored during a special dinner and program at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis presented by Deborah Joy Simon Charitable Trust. The recipients will each receive a $2,000 grant to expand their projects, and they may choose a university scholarship from IUPUI, UIndy, or Butler University.
This year’s event will feature keynote speaker, Jeanne White Ginder, the mother of Ryan White, one of three youths who are featured in the museum’s Power of Children exhibit.
The Power of Children Symposium is designed to educate and inspire a younger generation of philanthropists; to create an opportunity for youths to understand and design ways to make a difference in their world. The symposium will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2015, and is free to youths who are in 5-10th grade.
About The Children's Museum of Indianapolis
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis is a nonprofit institution committed to creating extraordinary learning experiences across the arts, sciences, and humanities that have the power to transform the lives of children and families. For more information about The Children's Museum, visit www.childrensmuseum.org, follow us on Twitter @TCMIndy, Facebook.com/childrensmuseum and YouTube.com/IndyTCM
