Kristen O Connell is the founder and executive director of Devoted to Children. Kristen and I went to high school together and competed together on the gymnastics team. However, after high school, we both went our separate ways and I hadn't had contact with her since graduation.
Thanks to the magic of Facebook, I reconnected with Kristen right around high school reunion time (as so often happens). I learned that Kristen was now a yoga instructor and living in Costa Rica.( Let's be honest, that sounds pretty freaking fabulous! )
I also learned about how Kristen had traveled to Haiti on a volunteer trip and afterward had started an orphanage in collaboration with a Haitian man she had met on her trip. I learned of her ongoing efforts of fundraising and expansion of the D2C mission beyond the original orphanage and into the surrounding community.
Then I learned about the volunteer SEVA trips that D2C had started, not only for fundraising purposes, but also to give others a chance to become more involved in the D2C family and goals. In November 2014, I reconnected with Kristen in real life.
I believe that we all, in life, strive to make a difference in this world, whatever way we can. Sometimes that entails creating something wonderful and new. Other times, it comes in the form of connecting with another who has already created something wonderful and offering your support to that cause. I feel so lucky I have had the opportunity to support this great cause.
To learn more about Kristen's story, watch to video below.
To contribute to my HikeFor campaign for Devoted to Children, click on the COOL CAUSES tab above or click here.
Thanks to the magic of Facebook, I reconnected with Kristen right around high school reunion time (as so often happens). I learned that Kristen was now a yoga instructor and living in Costa Rica.( Let's be honest, that sounds pretty freaking fabulous! )
I also learned about how Kristen had traveled to Haiti on a volunteer trip and afterward had started an orphanage in collaboration with a Haitian man she had met on her trip. I learned of her ongoing efforts of fundraising and expansion of the D2C mission beyond the original orphanage and into the surrounding community.
Then I learned about the volunteer SEVA trips that D2C had started, not only for fundraising purposes, but also to give others a chance to become more involved in the D2C family and goals. In November 2014, I reconnected with Kristen in real life.
I believe that we all, in life, strive to make a difference in this world, whatever way we can. Sometimes that entails creating something wonderful and new. Other times, it comes in the form of connecting with another who has already created something wonderful and offering your support to that cause. I feel so lucky I have had the opportunity to support this great cause.
To learn more about Kristen's story, watch to video below.
To contribute to my HikeFor campaign for Devoted to Children, click on the COOL CAUSES tab above or click here.
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