Emily D

Did you ever know someone who was just too good? It's annoying! It's annoying because it reminds you of how good you're not. And then you start to think, why? And before you realize, your knowing her has made you a better person. For me, that person is Emily.

When Emily was younger, she lost her grandmother to breast cancer. Wanting to carry on her grandma's giving spirit, at age 11, Emily started Grandma's Gifts (www.grandmasgifts.org) to help underprivileged families in Appalachia. Fifteen years later, Emily, now 26, has transformed a young girl's dream into a thriving reality! Through Grandma's Gifts, Emily has helped millions of children through various projects. Each year, Emily conducts a 'Spring Cleaning' book drive for underprivileged schools and a Thanksgiving food drive to benefit needy families and battered women's shelters. In addition to these annual traditions, Emily orchestrates Grandma's Gifts' flagship program: 'Trick or Teeth.' During Trick or Teeth, Emily has organized local schools to collect dental products to give to various health departments throughout the Appalachian region. Grandma's Gifts has collected donations to send hundreds of children to museums, zoos, and other educational destinations to which these children would have otherwise never had the opportunity to be exposed.
Although Emily's charity is the main vehicle for her volunteer work, Emily has volunteered her time to coach for a local high school field hockey team and teaches kids to get involved in their community anyway they can. Grandma's Gifts' website provides an extensive list of ways children can get involved in their community, under Emily's belief that anyone can make a difference.

In addition to countless lives Emily has affected, my knowing her has made me a better person.

Submitted by Anonymous

Making A Difference