Inspiring both adults and kids to make a difference in this world My name is Amanda Belzowski and I'm twelve years old. I have been holding my annual event, Amanda's Lemonade Stand in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, since 1999 when I was 2 years old. I have a website, www.lemonade4heart.org that informs people about my work. I am speaking at many different places in these next few months. On Jan 13 I spoke at the TSX at the launch of Power of the Hour as the official Ambassador which was such a great honour. I will be speaking at U of T to students from the Tony Blair Faith Acts Foundation and later also to the Herbert H. Carnegie Foundation Elementary Symposium Future Aces. After 11 lemonade stands and many speeches I know that I have a passion to share with others about making a difference in this world! I also have the credibility after having helped others for almost my entire life.
Here is lots more information about me and what I do to make a difference:
To date, I have raised over $135,0000 with the support of my brother Joshua (3 years old) and have directed the money I raise towards funding and raising awareness for Paediatric Heart and Stroke Research. I am in charge of every part of my annual event (with assistance of course) right from contacting entertainers and contributors to writing business proposals to present to companies in order to get support. I work hard to teach everyone that Heart and Stroke issues affect all of us, even kids, and I am determined to Help People whose Hearts are Broken. I am glad to be a role model to other kids and adults as well, showing people that you are Never Too Little to Make a Big Difference in the World. I do this one glass of lemonade at a time. Starting in 2008 I visited both schools and companies to let everyone know that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and believe in what you can do. Not only was I a Keynote Speaker at Queens University's Conference on Philanthropy, I also spoke at High Schools such as Havergal and Bishop Strachan as well as to companies such as ScotiaMcLeod and Direct Energy. In 2005 I was named one of Toronto's top Hometown Heroes alongside Isadore and Rosalie Sharp, and was chosen as one of the Toronto's local Junior Citizens of the Year candidates in 2006. In 2007 I was given the United Way's Get in the Way Award for Young Entrepreneurs and was featured on Becel's Website as one of their Heart Heroes. In 2008 I received The Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy Award for 2008 from the Association of Fundraising Professionals as well as the Anne and Ed Mirvish Outstanding Achievement Award for Young People. I also received Heart and Stroke's Philanthropy Award for 10 years of dedication. I appeared in a Get Involved episode which you can view on this website. TVO Kids also named me as a Super Citizen for 2008. I have appeared in all forms of media throughout the years and have been featured in newspapers such as Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, National Post, Town Crier, Post Magazines, The Mirror, SNAP Magazine, Metro, as well as Italian and Chinese newspapers, Canadian Family and Parents Canada Magazines. I have been listened to on radio stations such as CFRB, CHFI, 680News,and 97.3 EZ Rock and have appeared on television stations including Global, CTV including the National, City TV including Breakfast Television and Rogers Cable, CP 24, YTV the Zone and TVO to name just a few. My 3 hour lemonade stand has been written up in over 150 articles and pieces over the years. A couple of years ago, I was invited on stage to meet Mr. Donald Trump who donated some money in front of over 12,000 people and previously, he was interviewed on CTV National about my hard work. I have supporters far and wide including the great illusionist David Copperfield who has send incredible auction items to assist in my efforts as has Mr. Trump, Larry King, and Christopher Plummer to name a few. I have received letters of support from many politicians including Past-President George W. Bush and has many local politicians attend every year. In 2008 legendary Mike "Pinball" Clemons, football Hall of Famer came to my 10th Anniversary Lemonade Stand to lend support and provide amazing items for her auction. My message that anything is possible if you put your heart into it and how important it is that we all help to fix the world, reaches far and wide and my website www.lemonade4heart.org has been visited over 80,000 times since last year. Articles have been written online and in papers in the United States and I have received donations from as far away as New Zealand.
I always use this great exposure to increase awareness about the importance of encouraging others to contribute to worthy causes. Many years ago when asked what I hope people learn from my hard work and efforts, I responded by suggesting that every child out there should have a Lemonade Stand for some worthwhile cause. I not only fundraise for the Heart and Stroke Foundation but I also volunteer for other organizations and worthy causes. As part of the biggest family and friends team for the MS Walk for the last 10 years, I have helped raise over $200,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society with my family. I also support and raise for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. After visiting Kenya and seeing the needs of kids and adults there, I decided to help to send a high school student from a Samburu village, back to school to finish so that he could further his education and help contribute to his village in the future. This is his final year and I was very proud to be a part of furthering his education. I am looking forward to my upcoming involvement in Spread the Net with the Tony Blair Foundation.
I truly believe that You are Never Too Little or Too Young to Make a Big Difference in this World!!!
I would love to share my excitement and passion with your company, organization, school or any kind of group that wants to be inspired to get out there and Get Involved
Thank you so much, and I hope you will help me
Amanda Belzowski (12 year old) CEO, Founder, motivational speaker, activist and fundraiser
Amanda's Lemonade Stand
posted 15-Jan-2010 10:22:06 PM |
updated 16-Jan-2010 5:24:50 PM |
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