What's Ben Weymiller Doing Now?

Part of the joy of doing Kids Who Inspire is following up to see what the amazing kids we blog about are up to now. We’ll be checking back every so often to see how projects have grown, how others are being affected by the actions these inspired kids are taking, and to see what other projects are underway.

Our first look back brings us to one of our previously featured kids, Ben Weymiller. Ben is back with a new project that we’re happy to report here.

This inspirational kid is once again helping out the hospital that has taken such great care of his little cousin by sponsoring a tree for the Mary Bridge Children's Foundation Festival of Trees.

Ben’s set a goal of $2000, and is already at more than 25% of the way there! You can visit his page at: http://www.firstgiving.com/benweymiller and if you’re inclined to donate, all the better.

Kudos to you, Ben, for your continued attention and service to your cousin and to the people and organizations that are a part of her life.

Do you know an inspiring young person? We’d love to hear about him or her. It’s easy to toot a horn for your inspiring kid. Post a blog on this site, submit a story for inclusion in my book “Kids Who Inspire,” or email me at gordon@kidswhoinspire.com.

Young Rock Bands Organize for Charity

Peter Fogg is a couple merit badges away from being an Eagle Scout, the highest Boy Scout rank. And to further his progress, he decided to organize a benefit concert using local bands for the lineup. Peter’s own band, The Tides, will also perform at the show.

In all, there will be 5 bands performing. Shawn Dowd, Democrat and Chronicle

The concert will benefit Food Link and Water for Sudan . Peter hopes to collect $1000, and at least 400 packaged food items at the concert.

Peter’s story is another great example of how kids are making a difference in their communities and around the world. It took a lot of effort from a lot of young people to organize the event, and learning leadership skills is part of what it means to become an Eagle Scout.

Kudos to Peter Fogg and his band, The Tides, for their efforts and for making a difference.

Do you know an inspiring young person? We’d love to hear about him or her. It’s easy to toot a horn for your inspiring kid. Post a blog on this site, submit a story for inclusion in my book “Kids Who Inspire,” or email me at gordon@kidswhoinspire.com.

Children to Children Helps Foster Kids

Mackenzie Snyder estimates that she has touched about 60,000 lives. How? By providing foster kids with a backpack\duffel bag and a stuffed animal.



If you’ve ever thought that one person can’t make a difference, I think you’d agree that the kids highlighted here at www.KidsWhoInspire.com will make you rethink that stance. While none has acted alone, each has taken action the first action to enlist the help of others in order to help others.

Mackenzie’s story is a great example.

As her website states, she and her brothers won an essay contest in which the grand prize was a trip to Paris to attend a summit. While there, Mackenzie met two foster kids. When she learned that most foster kids have to carry their belongings from one home to another in garbage bags, she knew she had to do something, and Children to Children was born.

It wasn’t long until Mackenzie got the backing of Freddie Mac Foundation. Home Depot and Southern Management Company built Mackenzie and office complete with heat and air where she administers her venture.
Please visit her site www.ChildrentoChildren.org to learn more, and to help.

Do you know an inspiring young person? We’d love to hear about him or her. It’s easy to toot a horn for your inspiring kid. Post a blog on my site www.KidsWhoInspire.com, submit a story for inclusion in my book “Kids Who Inspire,” or email me at gordon@kidswhoinspire.com.

Ben Weymiller Rocks!

Imagine setting a pretty lofty goal for your self: say raising $20,000 for charity. Now imagine not only reaching the goal, but exceeding it by 400%

Wow!

That's what Ben Weymiller did.



Young Ben has a niece who had to spend some time in the hospital, and while visiting, Ben learned that the hospital didn’t have a rocking chair for every room. Ben thought that was a real problem since as he says in his firstgiving.com page: “I think that every sick baby deserves to be rocked by their parents.”

So, Ben set his mind to raising money so the hospital could by rocking chairs.

You can get more of the story here:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/merryman/story/27320.html

Please also visit Ben’s page at: http://www.firstgiving.com/rockathon

Do you know an inspiring young person?

We’d love to hear about him or her. It’s easy to toot a horn for your inspiring kid. Post a blog on my site www.KidsWhoInspire.com, where you can submit a story for inclusion in my book “Kids Who Inspire,” or email me at gordon@kidswhoinspire.com

Zach Bonner will Walk 1200+ miles for Homeless Children

Zach Bonner is no new-comer to charitable acts. He first took action to help Hurricane Charlie victims by collecting bottled water door-to-door. He managed to send off 27 truckloads of water to homeless families.

Zach was 6 years old at the time.

Now Zach is inspired to do even more. Beginning May 11, 2009, Zach will begin a walk that will take him 1225 miles from the Capital of Georgia to our Nation’s White House to raise awareness about homeless children.



It’s easy to see Zach’s passion and commitment in his video; hats off to this inspiring kid.

Do you know an inspiring young person?

We’d love to hear about him or her. It’s easy to toot a horn for your inspiring kid. Post a blog on my site www.KidsWhoInspire.com, where you can submit a story for inclusion in my book “Kids Who Inspire,” or email me at gordon@kidswhoinspire.com