As the president of The Kind Mouse, a 501(c)(3) non-profit based in St. Petersburg, Florida, I have been a leader in addressing childhood hunger and mentoring the next generation of leaders. The Kind Mouse is more than just an organization; we are preparing future leaders as young as 5 years old who believe that no hardworking individual and their family should ever go hungry. With hunger affecting over 613,000 children in Florida alone, our mission is crucial.
When I originally joined in 2019, I was timid and did not want to talk to anyone, but over time, The Kind Mouse welcomed me with open arms and taught me the meaning of a kind heart and how to give back. Through programs like Mice In Training and MOUSEVision, we engage children and teens in public speaking, leadership, and philanthropy.
Mice In Training, a unique initiative, allows children as young as five to pack food, run board meetings, and organize food drives. We are learning to run our own non-profit organization which has catapulted me to launching my own self-help book, winning an international title in pageants, and speaking at events with large audiences. As president, I strive to be a spark of hope and show kids that we are in this together. Whether packing non-perishable food or organizing pantry items, I am here to make a difference, not just to accumulate volunteer hours.
The hardest part of my journey has been stepping outside of my comfort zone. I vividly recall an unscripted public speaking event that truly tested my limits. But with the support of The Kind Mouse, I not only found my voice but also learned the power of sharing our mission.
From being featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, receiving a $1,000 scholarship award from 100 Good Guys, $2,000 from 10 Tampa Bay, to organizing food drives and my 4th annual Queens Feeding Kids event that filled over 2,300 meals in one day, I am continuously inspired to do more. Together with fellow volunteers, we have fed over a million tummies in the last 12 years.
COVID presented challenges, but through partnerships with the Pinellas County School Board and the Pack-a-Snack program, we continued to feed children in need year-round. I learned that hunger isn’t always visible—it could affect a friend, neighbor, or classmate. We ensure anonymity to maintain dignity for every child we serve.
We are kids feeding kids, giving children hope.