Karma for Cara Foundation microgrant recipients have competed in an application process alongside other young people who have spearheaded exceptional service projects that benefit their communities. In order to qualify for a K4C award, an applicant must be 18 years of age or younger, and the project must take place in the US.
Who? Helen Elise (9) and her local 4H Club
What? Generation Connection
Where? Maysville OK
Why? Helen Elise & team saw a need–their local senior citizen organization, Maysville Senior Citizens Center, had limited funds to provide after hours meals for the elderly during the cold winter season–and jumped right in. The team planned, prepared, packaged and delivered meals to seniors & the goal was to serve 75+ seniors each month.
| What inspired you to start this project? | My 4H group did a luncheon for our senior citizen center earlier in the school year and it was a success. I wanted to continue this effort to connect our senior citizens with the 4H students over multiple dinners. This would allow the generations to connect with one another while teaching students how to cook and providing meals to the seniors. Thankfully my mom is the 4H sponsor and other 4H parents helped supervise and provide pointers to the students. |
| While working on your project, what surprised you? | Seeing all the smiles from the senior citizens. They were very thankful for a free meal and loved seeing all of the students preparing, packaging and delivering meals. |
| What do you feel you learned from this experience? | I learned it takes a lot of planning to prepare meals for over 75 people. Also, trying to organize several students to do different jobs in order to get the meals ready to go at the same time was challenging. |
| How did Karma for Cara impact your project? | The microgrant from Karma for Cara was the only source of funding for this project. We were able to provide meals twice using these funds. Over 75 people, senior citizens and students were provided meals both times. |
