by Staff Writer Jennifer Grimes

Every November since I can remember, I’ve packed shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I always picked a girl and boy my age and filled my shoeboxes to the brim with crayons, notepads, toothbrushes, soap, and—most important, in my opinion—stuffed animals. By the time I packed the box, I practically had to sit on the lid to get it to snap into place. (more…)

by Staff Writer Matthew VanTryon

Imagine waking up every morning, parched dry. Yet instead of walking downstairs to the faucet and getting a glass of clean and refreshing water, you walk miles later that day to retrieve muddy and bacteria-filled water. This is the situation that many people find themselves in on a daily basis. This is the situation that Active Water is trying to eliminate.

According to Active:Water’s website, 884 million people lack access to clean drinking water. That’s almost three times the population of the United States! (more…)

by Staff Writer Kalli Simmerman

It’s happened to all of us. We come home from a long day of school or work (sometimes both!), kick off our shoes, settle down on the couch for a night full of mind-numbing television when, suddenly, it’s on. We’re ambushed by THE commercial. You know which one I’m talking about. Clips of starving kids, usually accompanied by a heartbreaking song and the voice of an older man or woman telling you about their suffering and how you can help.

Call me a bad person, but I HATE those commercials. (more…)

by Guest Contributor Kat Kachmar

Imagine you’re a 16 year-old female, with no father in the picture, and a mom who does drugs. You have no accountability. You come and go as you please, do poorly in school even though you’re smart, but no one is there for support and to push you to succeed.

One day after school, on your walk home, you meet a guy in a sweet ride. This guy offers to take you home, and over the next few weeks he buys you gifts, treats you nice, and tells you he loves you. You are in awe, smitten really. Before you know it you are living with him and find out the hard way you are now under his control and he has become your pimp. (more…)

What if you were an orphan? I know what you’re thinking. Okay, Halee, I see where this is going, but I’m not exactly ready to adopt right now. I kinda need to finish high school…

Don’t worry. I’m not advocating teen parenthood! But you’re not too young to make a difference. Check out this video and then we’ll talk:

Okay, so you may not be ready to take care of a kid (even though that video might’ve made you want one. There’s time for that later.). (more…)

This month, we’re talking about causes, ways you – yes you, the teen sitting at home – can make a difference in this world. You have that power. Here’s what an RTF alumnus, Derek Hanisch, had to say:

“We all have causes that are near and dear to our heart. As a childhood cancer survivor, I want to end cancer. Every year my town hosts the Relay for Life. This is an all night event where everyone comes together to fight cancer. There is a track the people walk around. Throughout the night, there is much laughter, and much reflection. This year I was honored to give the opening speech. As you listen, I challenge you to find a cause that you’re passionate about and find a way to support it. That may involve speaking out on the cause, or donating your time or money towards it. Either way, you can make a difference.”

Check out Derek’s speech:

What causes are you passionate about? What do you do to make a difference?

by Staff Writer Arianna Zander

As I sat in the hospital waiting room, I noticed the people around me. The grandmother seated across from me avoiding eye contact, twisting her sweaty hands. A little girl ran past me crying, begging her mother to leave. And outside of the room, his face pressed against the glass, a man glared at the EXIT sign before swallowing and opening the door.

It occurred to me that everybody was scared, myself included. Perhaps the grandmother feared dying. Maybe the little girl dreaded getting a shot. As we stared at those pristine white walls, bravery waved goodbye, and fear took its place. (more…)

September 28 is fast approaching. Click here for more info on how to get it started at your school.