He has his whole high school career ahead of him. But Tyler Ruhle is getting a jump start on giving to others. The 14 year old has spent nearly half his young life raising money for the American Diabetes Association.
Jordan Duke is a senior from Guilderland dedicated to lifting the spirits of children who are ill. She knows what it's like to be a patient in a hospital and receive an unexpected gift to brighten the room. And her special project - Pillowcases for Pediatrics - is making a big difference in the lives of dozens of kids.
She's a 6th grader from Johnstown who understands the fragility of life. Every year on her birthday, Molly Sear makes a special visit to the NICU at Saint Peter's Hospital to thank them for saving her life. Her special dedication to the March of Dimes makes her this week's 13 Kid Who Cares.
She's a Guilderland gal with a gift for art. Whether it's a stencil sketch or water color painting, Kate Bickmore is all about sharing a bit of herself. And she's using her talents to reach out to young women at a local charter school with hopes they'll express themselves in a positive way.
"If you want something done, ask a busy person." The old adage applies to a young lady named Natalie Ziskin of Burnt Hills. The high school junior carries a full AP course load, plays saxophone and varsity volleyball while managing to make her volunteer work at Parson's Early Head Start a top priority.
Dedicated, one of a kind, somebody who makes a difference. Those are the words used over and over in a dozen nominations we received for this week's 13 Kid Who Cares. Jared DeRusha is working to help those who are trying to preserve history at Skene Manjor in Whitehall.
In the story of teens helping kids, the Matt Connolly chapter will make you smile. The 11th grader at LaSalle collected thousands of books to help set up lending libraries at the Commission on Economic Opportunity's Head Start sites throughout Rensselaer County.
Karyn Johnson is a sophomore at Ichabod Crane High School who makes the most of her free time, spending it with the seniors. Not 12th graders - senior citizens - delivering dinner and smiles to the elderly at the Valatie Senior Center.
When young people think of role models, too often Hollywood stars and professional athletes come to mind. In Albany's south end, dozens of kids are getting their inspiration from a 15 year old girl. Lahjahniek Ramdene is working toward a scholarship to get into an Ivy League College. Until then, she spends all her free time teaching at-risk youth they too, can achieve their dreams.
She's a 17-year-old who spends her summers on the farm. Not the family farm, the Regional Food Bank's Patroon Land Farm. That's where Marie Sullivan helps prepare produce for people in our area who are in need. The rest of the year she's inside the Food Bank's warehouse, sorting supplies for struggling residents.
She spends hours each Sunday helping take care of sick children. And she's a child herself. Fifth grader Katelyn Dvorscak is one of the youngest kids we've ever selected for this award. And she's one of the youngest and most dedicated volunteers at Albany's Ronald McDonald House.
She's put in 250 hours of volunteer time over a seven month period. But 17-year-old Chelsea Baldwin is the only one who doesn't seem to be counting. In fact, the Gloversville High School senior loses track of time while having a ball with the kids she mentors.
We are once again proud to be bringing you the series we call 13 Kids Who Care. Each week we'll bring you stories of young people in our area going above and beyond to make the Capital Region a better place.
We begin this year with a senior at Shaker High School. Rosanna DeFilippo is an exceptional young lady who works with some very special children at the St. Pius X Church Camp for Exceptional Kids.
We are once again proud to be bringing you the series we call 13 Kids Who Care. Each week we'll bring you stories of young people in our area going above and beyond to make the Capital Region a better place.
