Research showed that in the year 2000, there were approximately 1.5 million reported cases of skin cancer in the US, the majority of which are directly related to exposure of harmful Ultra Violet sun rays. Nearly eighty percent of an individual's lifetime sun exposure occurs before age eighteen, and the vast majority of new parents are unaware of related dangers. Many who do recognize such dangers are unable to afford the sometimes costly precautions necessary to fully protect their children. I decided to target high-risk locales in inner-city areas with Operation Cover-Up and provide education and materials necessary to avert further sun-related disorder incidents.

I developed an Operation Cover-Up mission statement and informational brochure which I sent to one general service hospital in the largest city of each state and territory. By 2001, I solicited help with the program from numerous local and national corporations. Along with their contributions, countless individuals made personal donations, totaling $72,000 worth of hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen for distribution to new mothers. Utilizing educational materials provided by local dermatologists, I prepared a second brochure. Several civic organizations, including the 4-H Club, Terrebonne Children's Coalition, and the local American Red Cross chapter, were recipients of educational presentations and assisted in the distribution of over 35,000 brochures. I then created an informational Website which proved to be one of my greatest challenges. Eventually, a team of students were required to help handle incoming questions. Sun safety presentations were made to local elementary school children, all of whom were provided with free sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and eduational materials.

Many hospitals served as delivery sites, where I have made repeated speaking presentations to new mothers about protecting their children from the sun. I have logged almost 500 hours working with Operation Cover-Up, and am currently working on plans to expand the program through soliciting donations of protective baby clothing for future mail-outs. It is my continued hope to educate Americans and provided them with the necessary tools to ensure a healthier tomorrow.

With help from his family, his county 4-H leader, and volunteers from the local FFA, Warner has made 91 safety presentations, delivering his message to an estimated 73,000 people. During his presentations, he distributes grain safety cards and demonstrates a harness designed to prevent grain bin accidents. "Having a heart for farm safety awareness and realizing that even one grain-related accident or fatality is too many, I plan to continue presenting my safety program for many years." Warner was honored by Prudential as one of America's Top Ten Youth Volunteers of 2004.

After organizing forty fundraisers, Jena wanted to do something original. The idea of creating a unique ornament surfaced in a Las Vegas gift shop where she spotted a $30 ornament filled with bits of clothing of performers. Jena knew she could make original ornaments for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and sell them in someone's honor or memory.

"It took me five months to come up with the actual ornament I sell, she explains. "I designed, created, marketed, built my website, and trained my team." The result was a clear glass ball, filled with iridescent tinsel, toped with a pink and purple ribbon - the Relay signature colors. "We copyrighted it, made a video that aired on two chanels, did radio spots, and made designer t-shirts we wore as advertisment. After seeing the looks of the kids' faces, we took my ornament project on the road."

"To get permission from hospitals, we had to have a TB test and up-to-date physicals and shots. My team was stressed, but we got through it. I named it my Joy of Giving campaign. We personalized ornaments in the hospitals for cancer patients." They sold over 1,200 and donated more than 1,300. The ornaments sell for $10 eaach or $15 if mailed. Within six years, Jena raised nearly $50,000 that has been donated to ACS. Her goal is to raise over $75,000 before she graduates from Winder Barow High School and also to visit a hospital in Connecticut that has thousands of young cancer patients.

Jena mentors teens across the country on how to start their own volunteer Relay for Life teams which benefit ACS. Her own team has increased to 26 members, which is the highest number Relay for Life permits. Jena gets around that by organizing different types of teams. Since she's won Miss Junior National Teenager 2005, she uses her title to launch the Prince and Princess of Hope Pageant in hospitals to help young cancer patients and survivors feel beautiful. Each participant receives a keepsake tiara an award.

"One of the funniest things I do is provide a colored t-shirt to the top sales person for each fundraiser. Guy and girls will sell fifty ornaments to get that colored t-shirt. It's amazing what a five dollar shirt will do to motivate them. But it does make them feel special. I could not do without my team. They are wonderful and so hard working. The one thing I do alone is answer my e-mails on my website: www.ornaments4cure.org.

Jena has organized clothing drives for the homeless and a book drive for a school library destroyed by fire. She's also designed a cape children wear before their chemotherapy treatments, with the imprint "I'm so brave."

Kristen then learned about Plant-A-Row for the Hungry (PAR), a national program encouraging gardeners to donate their excess harvest to local food banks. Due to her heritage and sensitivity to the needs of her people, Kristen selected the Allegheny Indian Center. Each week she donated vegetables and also made friends with those who worked at the site.

Wanting to share this experience with other kids, Kristen became coordinator for the 4-H clubs in her county and a neighboring county as well. The following year, 2001, she was asked to help start a PAR program at a local shelter for the homeless. With her help, the garden flouished, and Kristen was invited back for a harvest party.

She told everyone she met about her volunteering experience. Many then tried it and were "hooked". Others couldn't understand why she would spend so much time helping people she didn't know. One such person was her 26-year-old half-brother, an inmate at an out-of-state correctional facility. Kristen explained that he'd only understand her great feelings if he could experience gardening and helping others also.

That's when "the inspiration hit". Kristen wouldn't be able to help her brother, but thought she could help others like him. Perhaps gardening could become part of their science curriculum. Since many inmates had never seen anything to completion, she felt gardening might provide them with a sense of pride and ownership in "their" garden. Donating their harvest to the needy in their community would create a positive influence while paying their debt to society.

Kristen suggested her idea to the local Mult-County Youth Detention Center. Being shy, she panicked when asked to make a presentation to its Board of Directors. Her strong belief in her project helped her to succeed in spite of her fear. She was even told that she appeared very confident and self-assured.

The next step was to present her plan to the potential gardeners, 14- to 18-year-old boys who weren't pleased about the extra work she planned for them. Not one had ever planted a seed or plant. Much to Kristen's relief, the boys were polite, attentive, and inquisitive. Their garden did well, but its first harvest never made it to the food banks, for the proud boys decided to share it with their teachers.

Setting her sights on the entire state of Ohio, Kristen sent her proposal to then Attorney General Betty Montgomery who forwarded it to Chris Baker, Community-Volunteer Service Director for Ohio's Department of Youth Services. He contacted Kristen and pledged the support of all 12 youth correctional facilities. Kristen couldn't visit all of them, due to the distance, but did provide donated seeds to each. She also created a step-by-step, do-it-yourself gardening book for each facility. The local Indian River facility garden, under the supervision of Mr. Williams and Mr. Mozelle flourished. The gardeners thanked her for caring enough to start the program. It has since become a rewards program for good behavior and has a waiting list of interested gardeners.

Kristen's efforts and achievements has earned her much recognition and many awards. President Bush presented her with the Community Volunteer Service Award, and she will be working with his director of the newly established USA Freedom Corps to institute her program nationwide. In 2000, Kristen was the Ohio middle school honoree for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She was later named as a finalist in the Scotts' Give Back to Grow Young Gardener of the Year Award. In 2002, she was the Ohio high school honoree for the Prudential award. In 2003, she was chosen as the Plant-A-Row Star Gardener, and was selected as a Soroptimist International Woman of Distinction for Community Volunteer. She's been featured in numerous publications.