Karma for Cara Foundation awards microgrants to youth 18 years of age & younger who spearhead exceptional service projects in their communities. Microgrant recipient Andrea (10) from Florida received two awards for her service project entitled Crafty Boxes Uplifting Kids which attempted to help sick children in hospitals feel better at difficult times by providing them with boxes filled with craft projects. The 4th and 5th grade classes at Andrea’s school helped by donating shoe boxes and supplies (glue sticks, scissors, 6 colors of paint & a paint brush, stickers & construction paper).  At the end of every month, she dropped off 15-20 crafty boxes at local hospitals. Andrea’s goal was to gift 190 boxes total for the first year of the service project. This project has special meaning to Andrea because 2 years prior to starting the project, she experienced severe stomach pains when with her mom at a church activity which resulted in a visit to the ER where she had her appendix removed. 

Meet Karma for Cara microgrant recipient Joseph (16) from Nebraska. Joseph founded & directs the Joy of Music, a volunteer organization comprised of musicians who play violin, viola, cello, or/and piano ages 7 through high school. The musical group performs at various senior living communities across the Omaha metro area. Joseph’s grandmother raised him until the age of 5 so he has always felt indebted to the elderly in his community. He is aware of the depression rates amongst seniors and believes music has healing power. Additionally Joseph has observed how the older youth in the group informally mentor the younger youth, the result being that the seeds of community service are planted in their hearts. The Joy of Music also participates in small gift drives & cookie drop offs at senior living communities in their area.