Warm Paws for the Winter: My Kindness in Action Event

September 14, 2017

I have always been inspired by Lady Gaga. By pushing for the youth of the world to be kinder and braver, she’s the one that taught me that I’m worth more than I think I am. And, with kindness and bravery instilled in me – I can do a lot to help my community.

Gaga and her mom, Cynthia, created Born This Way Foundation.  I’ve looked up to the foundation for years because my goal in life is to help those that need it.

From volunteering at my local Humane Society in Auburn, Washington, I realized that even the smallest thing, such as a warm blanket or a nice collar for an animal can go a long way. That is how I realized I could organize an event to continue to help them!

I applied for a Channel Kindness Award to make my dream happen.  In partnership with the organization Peace First, Born This Way Foundation is selecting eight winners from tour cities Lady Gaga is stopping in this summer and fall to highlight the great work people my age are doing across America.  The winners receive support from the organizations to make our ideas for helping our communities a reality.  And, I won!

On August 5th, I had the amazing opportunity to host an event at the Auburn Valley Humane Society where people could come and decorate collars and tie-dye blankets that would each be given to those who adopt a dog over the next few weeks. I love animals, so it meant the world to me to be able to bring people from my town together to help them.

While it was a little stressful planning the event, I had a lot of support from Kelsey and the rest of the Peace First team.  They made sure I had everything I needed to make the event come alive.  And, when we weren’t about where we could hold the event since all the local parks were booked, the Auburn Humane Society was kind enough to let us hold it at their location.

At the event, it was really cool to see everyone join together for a common goal. The blankets and collars turned out great, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. In total, we made a ton of decorated collars and tie-dye blankets which all looked fantastic!

I’m really glad that this is something I had the chance to do.  I had always wanted to be involved with Born This Way Foundation, and I was lucky enough to be able to do it by helping my local Humane Society, too!  Plus, Born This Way Foundation and their partner Mattel have sent a Kindness Bench to be installed here at the Humane Society. Every Channel Kindness Award winner will get the chance to pick a spot to receive a bench in their community. They will serve as physical reminders of the power of kindness and as a place for people to go when they are in need of a little extra compassion in their day.

The event may be over, but I will always be kind and brave enough to continue to help anyone (and any animal) I can.

By: Kirah Horne