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Lily the Bernese Mountain dog is very proud of all of her heroes. These kids
are really something - they are very active in their community and have
learned the importance of giving. You can be one of Lily's Heroes
too! Want to learn more or need some ideas? Click on "Become a Hero". Is
one of your pals doing something really cool that helps people?
Check out "Nominate a Kid".
Lily hopes
that kids (and parents) will be inspired by these stories. Many of
these ideas can be copied and carried out right in your own neighborhood.
If you appear on our website in this section, you will be entitled to a free certificate. |
Alternate Photo
| Calista Pierce has always been community minded. She has been involved in Food Drives for the Second Harvest Food Bank, donating Christmas presents to Operation Christmas Child, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, helped make teddy bears to donate to a pediatric ward, Macy's Believe! Campaign for Make-A-Wish, Pennies for Patients and last summer, she donated 15 inches of her beautiful, never before cut, strawberry blonde hair to Locks of Love. By far, her greatest dedication has been helping Special Olympics.
Calista's older brother, Austin, started participating in Special Olympics in 2005 and Calista has always been there to cheer him on. In 2006, Calista overheard that our County's program was low on funds and was worried they would have to cut back on the number of athletes they took to competitions or not go at all. Every Special Olympics program is responsible for their own fundraising to be able to provide year round sports trainings free of charge to athletes, as well as uniforms, transportation to and from competitions and if needed, meals and overnight accommodations. Knowing how much her brother has loved being able to compete in sports that are tailored to athletes' abilities, Calista came up with her own fundraising project. She gathered any craft supply she could find and set to work.
She created Calista Cares and has been making and selling ceramics, jewelry and crafts, helping to wrap and label homemade suckers, holding bake sales, running a lemonade stand and holding raffles to raise much needed funds. In just over 2 years, Calista has raised nearly $5,000.00 and has volunteered over 1,250 hours for Special Olympics through her fundraising and volunteering for the program. Her volunteer efforts include helping out at local Special Olympics bowling, track and field, swimming and bocce practices. She also helps out as much as she can at regional and state competitions.
For the past 2 years, Calista has been helping to train area athletes on the rules of bocce. Last fall, she became a Unified Partner in bocce and as a team, she and her brother won gold medals at Special Olympics Pennsylvania Western Fall Sectionals. She has her sights set on becoming a Special Olympics assistant coach when she's 16 and a head coach when she's 18. She has shown such dedication to the success of the program and insists that she will continue her efforts in the hopes that all area athletes who qualify will continue to be able to attend regional and state competitions every year!!   
County: Crawford PA, USA School: Unspecified |
