Teen Honored For Volunteer Work Urges Others to Give

Campaign Helped D.C., Tanzania HIV Sufferers

As a high school student, Krysten Thomas was alarmed by the number of District residents living with HIV and AIDS and wanted to help. So she devised a way to collect and donate toiletries to those affected.

Thomas initially gathered items from family, friends and church members, but she struck the mother lode when she wrote letters to more than 50 hotels seeking donations. She collected about 4,000 items, which were distributed equally to District residents and people affected by the virus in Tanzania.

"Every time you go to a hotel, people don't even use the toiletries most of the time," said Thomas, who graduated in June from National Cathedral School in Northwest Washington. "I got toiletries they weren't using and were willing to donate."

Now, Thomas, who was recognized by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards as one of the nation's top youth volunteers for the year, is calling on her community-minded peers to enter next year's contest. Although the kickoff for the 2010 awards begins next month, District students can get an early start by applying online beginning Monday.

"We have a special challenge in D.C.," said Scott Peterson, executive director for the program, who said the group was "always especially concerned" about getting applicants from the District.

The program, sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors two students from each state and the District for outstanding service to their communities.

Students from grades 5 to 12 who are involved in a volunteer activity prior to their application date are eligible. Applications are also available through principals or civic organizations such as the YMCA, Girl Scouts or American Red Cross.

The application should contain details of a student's community service from the previous year. Principals or a leader from a designated organization must certify the application, which must be submitted by Nov. 2.

Results for state-level honorees will be announced in February, and 10 national honorees will be chosen at a reception in the District in May. State and D.C. honorees receive $1,000 scholarships. National honorees are awarded $5,000 scholarships.

Thomas said that she was excited about receiving the scholarship but that the joy of serving others outweighed the monetary reward. "When I did this, I wasn't thinking about Prudential. I really get satisfaction out of helping other people," she said. "Anything you have a passion for, you should just go out and help. Just go for it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Lawrence Manley Jr., the District's other award recipient for the year, was recognized in his senior year at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville for a tutoring and mentoring program he started at Fort Davis Community Center in Southeast Washington.

Peterson said volunteering is becoming popular among young people. More than 90,000 students have been formally recognized by the program since it began in 1995.

"You don't have to do herculean things to be recognized by our program," he said. "These kids who do get involved in volunteering get a tremendous amount of self-confidence, self-esteem and feeling like they're really connected to their communities."

For information, visit http://spirit.prudential.com.