Rockland's Caring Kids

By NYMetroParents Staff January 23, 2017

We asked how your family gives back, and here are your stories of amazing kids who make the Rockland County community better every day.

For the NYMetroParents Caring Kids Awards, we invited you to submit stories and photos of families and kids who do volunteer work to help others. We hope you will be as inspired as we were by these stories of young Rockland residents committed to making the world a better place and helping those in need. These local kids are making a difference in the community every day, and we salute all of them!

Ariyana Volunteers at Libraries and the Best Buddies Club

ariyana rockland county caring kids award recipient

caring kids award ribbon My awesome 15-year-old daughter Ariyana gives back to her community by volunteering at two of our local libraries in Rockland County. She helps with preparations and assisting in the children’s programs at least five times a month. She also participates in the Best Buddies Club by hanging out with students in our community with disabilities at her high school and tripled her fundraising goal for the recent Best Buddies walk in NYC. I am extremely proud of her kindness and compassionate heart.

As a Caring Kids Award Recipient, Ariyana will receive a $500 gift card and a certificate of recognition for her community service.

A Family Brings Music to Those with Illnesses and Diseases

rockland family plays music

I am a harpist and play for the sick in my free time. My son plays his accordion and my daughter plays her harp and banjo for a neighbor who suffers from Huntington’s disease. My children enjoy doing this and we will be performing at nursing homes and children’s hospitals. It’s a very good feeling giving back.

Rylee Volunteers in the Community

My daughter Rylee is 9 years old and loves to help in her community. She volunteers at community events such as pumpkin decorating, poster painting, Christmas breakfasts, and Easter egg hunts. I’ve done it all my life and Rylee is following in my footsteps and I couldn’t be happier. She is always willing to help in my mother’s day care, or even with children at my special needs school. At the young age of 9 my daughter has a heart of gold and I hope she never changes!!!

Sawyer, 8, Sells Cookies to Benefit an Animal Shelter

sawyer's cookie stand

My daughter bakes cookies and sells them at “Sawyer’s Cookie Stand” on weekends when we have a lot of hikers passing by our house to get from the train station to Harriman State Park. She donates 100-percent of the proceeds to Hi Tor Animal Care Center!

Read About Other Caring Kids in the NY Metro Area