YEAR 3 — 2021
What I Did:
Recycling Cans Fundraiser
Local Partner:
Friends of Foster Kids
What This Year Was About
Year 3 — 2021
By 2021, I was in 7th grade and COVID was still going on. I wanted to keep helping Friends of Foster Kids, but I needed a way to raise money that was safe and flexible.
That’s when I decided to start collecting cans from people in my neighborhood. It was a simple way to stay active and still support Bag of Joy.
How I Took Action
Collecting & Recycling Cans
I collected cans from three neighborhoods and returned them for deposit money.
With what I earned, I bought journals, cool pens, stickers, notebooks, and dolls for kids in foster care.
Shopping for journals even inspired me to start journaling myself, especially to write about gratitude.
Giving Back to Our Local Partner
Friends of Foster Kids
After shopping, I packed everything up and delivered the gifts to Friends of Foster Kids.
Seeing all the journals and writing supplies together made me happy because I knew the kids would get something of their own, something that helped them express their thoughts and feelings.
My JoyStory
The Feeling That Made Small Actions Feel Big
When I dropped off the journals and dolls, I felt really proud. It surprised me that something as small as collecting cans could turn into real gifts for real kids.
I kept thinking about how my work actually made a difference, even though it didn’t feel huge while I was doing it.
It made me want to keep helping, because I liked knowing that my effort — even a small one — could make someone else feel happy.
2021 was about Barbie Dolls, Purses and Games