On 17th January, USA Today & Rachael Ray Show declared the launch of the Kindness Challenge. In Kindness Challenge five young volunteers from DoSomething.org will be allowed to publicly promote their philanthropic goals that they have set. They will have 6 weeks to achieve their philanthropic goals. The five participants are Kylie Kuhns, Lizzie Marie Likness, Adin Lykken, Allison Nguyen and Jason Shah.
During challenge the participants will be documenting and tracking their progress online with weekly blog posts at kindnesschallenge.usatoday.com and in the Kindness community. Every participant will get one-on-one time with Carol Cone and the corporate citizenship team at Edelman, as a private trainer at the gym to give them extra boost. The participants will have a full report on their progress on 28 February.
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Rachael Ray says, “I am so excited about the USA TODAY Kindness Challenge! Whether you live in a big city or a small town, it’s important to find a way to give back that is meaningful to you.” He further added, “It’s always so inspiring to see kids step up to the plate and help out others in their own special way!”
Public voting will be started from 28th February and the readers can vote for the participants who inspired them most. The winner of the “Kindness Challenge” will be declared on 14th March in The Rachael Ray Show and in USA Today. The winner will get a profile in USA Today.
Participants of Kindness Challenge
Lizzie Marie Likness
Project: Lizzie Marie Cuisine
State: Atlanta, GA
Age: 11
Background:
Lizzie started a culinary business, Lizzie Marie Cuisine to fight obesity in her community. At her neighboring farmers’ market, she bakes and sells all natural goodies. To train community how to cook healthy food, she formed a website, lizziemariecuisine.com.
Aim:
The aim of Lizzie is to complete her cookbook, “Tasty Tidbits: Educating Today for a Healthier Tomorrow” within 6 week limit.
Jason Shah
State: Cambridge, MA
Project: INeedAPencil.com
Age: 21
Background:
Jason began INeedAPencil.com that offers free online tutoring for SAT preparation and tries hard to aid underprivileged students to attend college. Over 30,000 students have improved their SAT scores by an average of 200 points with the help of this organization.
Aim:
The aim of Jason is to add 50 new project partners to an existing network of 150. Schools, after-school programs, and community-based programs are included in the partners
Adin Lykken
Project: Woofin and Hoofin
State: Wheaton, IL
Age: 19
Background:
To raise consciousness of animal cruelty, Adin has started the Woofin & Hoofin 5K race and Doggie Dash that contains a 1 mile jog for pet owners and their dogs.
Aim:
The aim of Adin is to create the first Puppy Palooza which is a fun musical contest featuring main high school bands that will help to “bring the cause of animal welfare to center stage” and assist to increase money for the DuPage County Animal Shelter this year.
Allison Nguyen
State: Houston, TX
Project: Iced Capades Cakery
Age: 17
Background:
Allison donates cakes and cupcakes every month to neighboring homeless shelters to host birthday parties of the children who don’t have the luxury of having a birthday party or feast.
Aim:
The aim of Allison is to increase money and hire more helpers to spread out the program of cupcake as well as to make the birthday more memorable for homeless children.
Kylie Kuhns
Project: Kelsey’s Dream
State: Mifflinburg, PA
Age: 13
Background:
Kylie started Kelsey’s Dream foundation in the memory of her sister who passed away from cancer. Kelsey’s Dream Foundation contributes Chemo Ducks to the hospitals of children in 17 states.
Aim:
The aim of Kylie is to expand Chemo Duck’s donations which is a cuddly toy designed by the non-profit Gabe’s My Heart to aid kids to defeat their treatment fears. Around $17,250 is required by Kylie to provide Chemo Ducks to the Pediatrics/Oncology units in Florida.
Kylie Kuhns on the Rachael Ray Show video from youtube:
Kylie Kuhns on the Rachael Ray Show #2 video from youtube:
Contestants’ Photo Courtesy: yourlife.usatoday.com