I cried. I was proud. I am inspired. I watched this group of seniors from Burlington Christian Academy present their Senior Project and all I could think about was how it was just yesterday that they were walking across this same stage for their kindergarten graduation.
I have had the privilege to watch many teenagers decide that they are going to be a part of helping others by becoming philanthropic servants. It is so inspiring to watch them dream, to imagine what is impossible, and to step in with their hearts and lead. Grey Oakes, one of the group members said it beautifully last night when he said, “we want to be people who focus on how we can make an eternal impact on others by walking in faith”.
Grey, along with Isabella, Amanda, Jake, and Victoria spent the past 6 months doing the Little Pink Project. Their project included organizing a Volley for the Cure event, volunteering at the LP office, holding an EP release party, creating journals for retreat participant children and flamingo flocking all over town. They set a goal of raising $1700 and they exceeded their goal by raising over $2100.
At last nights presentation Grey sang a song he wrote specifically about the Little Pink mission and there was not a dry eye in the house. another example of how these students personalized this project and used their gifts to serve.
They believed it was possible and they were able to do it! I could not be any more proud of this group of seniors! I cannot wait to see how they impact the world!
On a personal note, as I sat in the audience and watched my son Jake present and ask the audience, “how many of you have been directly affected by breast cancer?” And speak about the impact of this disease, my heart leapt. But more importantly, like so many children of breast cancer survivors, I have watched him never think that he was a victim or that God was not on the journey with him. I have watched him help hundreds of women (he has done 11 different retreats) and their families through his kind and gentle service. I have watched him become the man that only God knows is possible.