Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! I'm delighted to re-share this episode which originally aired in December, 2022. It is a perfect way to remember the true spirit of the Christmas holiday. Ava S. was only 6 years old when a classmate who was fighting leukemia inspired her to launch a project called Ava Claus, providing toys for children in the hospital. The effort turned into Ava Claus and Friends and a partnership with the Broward Children's Center.

Follow Ava's work at @avaclaus and learn more at www.avaclaus.com and www.bcckids.org.

A little LIGHT for your holiday season! Amelia from Arkansas started Lisowe's Lights when she was only eight years old, providing nightlights for children who are navigating the foster care system. Lisowe's Lights makes sure that children who need to leave their homes and to be placed in foster care will have a nightlight to help them feel safe in their new home.

Learn more at www.lisoweslights.com and follow at @lisoweslights

My guests today, Akanksha and Claire from Atlanta, bonded over a shared love of art and a huge heart for the elderly. During the pandemic, they decided to create a free online art program called Sketching with Seniors to bridge the generational gap between young people who want to share their creativity and the isolated and lonely older adults who could benefit from the stimulation and connection.

Learn more at www.sketchingwithseniors.com and follow at @sketchingwithseniors

Twelve-year-old Peyton starting fundraising and hosting collection drives for people experiencing homelessness in her Wisconsin community when she was only seven. As we kick of the "season of giving" this week, I hope this conversation will inspire everyone to find the time to help those less fortunate to have a bright and joyful holiday season.

Learn more at https://www.eyeofachild.org/ or follow @_eyeofachild

My guest today, high school senior Ariela from Los Angeles, has a huge heart for rescue animals. In response to the Girl Scouts Gold Award initiative, Ariela created a nonprofit called Reducing Animal Stress, to help provide enrichment for shelter animals, and to help people understand that boredom and stress are triggers that cause rescue animals to act out. Providing handmade pet toys and other enrichment activities can help shelter animals to thrive and become better candidates for adoption.

Learn more at https://reducinganimalstre.wixsite.com/nonprofit or follow @reducinganimalstress

Skin health is so important.

My guest today, high school senior Ellis, created DermaTeens, an international youth-led nonprofit dedicated to educating teens on skin health and promoting sun-safe habits. DermaTeens leads educational initiatives with global reach, provides access to sun protection, engages in health policy activism, and more to prevent skin cancer and promote healthy skin.

Learn more at https://dermateens.wixsite.com/dermateens and follow @dermateens

Have you ever wondered what happens to "dead" tennis balls, the ones that lose their bounce and are rejected by professional tennis players during their important matches? Well millions of them end up in landfills as non-compostible waste that releases methane into the environment. My guests today, tennis-playing sisters Lily and Maggie from New Jersey, started a nonprofit called Net Love to recycle and upcycle used tennis balls, reminding us once again that every person has the ability to take their passion and turn it into their purpose, making a real impact on the world.

Learn more at https://www.netlovenj.org and follow @netlovenj