Kids who have made a difference

Charities started by young people

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When we see and hear about the many problems plaguing the globe we may feel very small and helpless. But these kids decided they weren't too small to make a difference in the world. They started charitable organizations before they even reached their teens!

Alex's Lemonade Stand was started in 2000, when then 4 year old Alexandra "Alex" Scott wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money for kids with cancer. For the next four years Alex held a lemonade stand every summer to raise money for cancer research.  In the summer of 2004, in an effort to raise $1 million, lemonade stands were held around the country to add to Alex's cause. Alex herself was diagnosed with neuroblastoma just before her first birthday and shortly after reaching her goal of raising $1 million for pediatric cancer research, she passed away. The Foundation lives on and has raised over $25 million with much of the money being raised through lemonade stands.

Free The Children was started by Craig Kielburger when he was just 12 years old. Craig was inspired to help children around the world after hearing about a boy his age who was killed for speaking out against child labor.  Craig's mission was to free children from poverty and exploitation.  Free The Children lets children help children through education with developmental and educational programs in over 45 countries. Free The Children has built over 500 schools around the world and reached over one million youth in North America with their message of being socially conscious citizens of the world.

Kids Saving the Rainforest was started by Janine Licare and Aislin Livingstone when they were both 9 years old. They started their charity by selling painted rocks in their native Costa Rica in an effort to save its local rainforests. A year later the girls were able to open a store selling art by local artists to raise money for their organization. The store also acts as a source of information about the organization and  conserving the rainforest and its inhabitants. KSTR has a number of initiatives and hopes to preserve Costa Rica's rainforests, educate children about the importance of the rainforest and help injured animals rehabilitate.

These kids can act as an inspiration for all of us. It doesn't matter what your age is you can make a difference in this world!