It was a Tuesday afternoon when I stepped into the Westside Community Center for the first time. I was greeted with the laughter and smiles of children playing games and doing crafts. As I walked around, one little girl named Amy shyly showed me the drawing she had made and said it was her favorite part of the week.

Seeing the joy of the kids and the patient guidance of the staff, I realized what an amazing place this center was for low-income families in our neighborhood. A safe haven for children to learn, create, and just be kids while their parents work or run errands. A judgment-free zone where all are welcome.

But I also learned that their programs and supplies were limited due to tight budgets. The staff scraped together whatever they could, but it was never enough.

From that day on, I knew I wanted to help expand their resources however I could. All children deserve to have opportunities to play, express themselves, and engage their curiosity. Amy and her sparkling creativity motivated me to start raising funds to support the community center.

Now I'm reaching out to friends, family, and neighbors to help sponsor my fundraising walkathon. With your help, we can make sure the center can keep its doors open and keep bringing joy to children who need it most. Please consider donating - your contribution can change young lives.