Inspired by her charitable older relatives, 10-year-old Kyla Ryan recruited her peers to raise funds for local charities. Besides feeling good about helping others, she and her friends discovered the benefits of teamwork and learned how to conduct meetings and make decisions about who received their "grants".

What kind of philanthropic or volunteer work did/do you do?

Kyla: I raise money for a variety of charities: St. Vincent De Paul Society, Adopt-A-Zoo-Animal, local church, local families in need.

What is the name and location of the organization?

Kyla: Princess & Prince Angels Club

Tell us about the project, especially who benefited from this work.

Kyla: Neighborhood children, animals, families.

What inspired you to get involved?

Kyla: My own family helps in a charity. I thought we needed a children’s organization, too.

How did you first get involved? Give us some details.

Kyla: I first invited my classmates and neighborhood friends.

What is/was the best thing about your experience?

Kyla: Actually having money in our account to give away to help others.

What is/was the hardest part?

Kyla: Keeping the members happy and cooperative.

What was the biggest surprise?

Kyla: How much money we made fundraising was a very big surprise. We all felt good.

What new things have you learned as a result of your experience and how have you changed as a result?

Kyla: Robert Rules of Order is another language! I learned that our efforts when we worked together were great, and when we did not work together (which sometimes happened), we were all unhappy.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of getting involved in philanthropy or volunteering?

Kyla: It is fun, and it makes you feel good to help others. We really laughed a lot, and people liked us for our efforts. They gave more money!

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