Kenan Pala Honored in 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
It is with great pride to have received news that our Kids4Community founder Kenan Pala was cited as one of the 10 national honorees in the 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. The awardees were chosen for their positive impact in their respective communities.
Kenan’s initiative through Kids4Community led him to achieve this honorable distinction. Prudential said on its website that his efforts “benefit homeless people by raising money for local shelters, coordinating meals each quarter at shelter kitchens, and organizing a record-setting cereal donation event.”
Francis Parker School director of community engagement Kevin Dunn expressed his delight not only because Kenan received the award, but another student of theirs was also honored. Eighteen-year-old senior Meghana Reddy was recognized for her work in using “3D printing technology to produce artificial hands for children and adults in several countries who cannot afford commercial prostheses.”
“The amazing thing about these two students is that their projects will continue to grow and assist communities in need. Future students will read about and learn that they, too, can make a meaningful difference in the world,” Dunn added.
Check out this video that features Kenan talking about his non-profit work and the achievement of a Guinness World Record for his cereal donation initiative:
Upcoming Charity Programs by Kenan
For his part, Kenan plans to expand his program to tap more students to help the community. Here are two new programs:
Student Inc.
This after-school student group plans to highlight the importance of benefits organizations. Students and other speakers will share tips on starting a 501(c)(3) organization or an enterprise whose proceeds will go to a specific community that needs assistance. This way, more people will be encouraged to either put up their own charity groups or help out with other existing ones.
Bright Futures 5K
Kids4Community will be organizing Bright Futures 5K, a charity fun run to benefit local homeless shelters through Interfaith Community Health Services. We’ve announced this initiative three months ago, and we’re so excited to combine sports with charity. This is the first 5K run to be organized in San Diego by high school students.
Mark your calendars for Bright Futures 5K on March 25, 2018, 7:30 AM, at Embarcadero Marina Park South, 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA.
Congratulations, Kenan!
We at Kids4Community couldn’t be prouder of Kenan! Rest assured, this recognition won’t be the end of our charity work. In fact, it has fueled us even more to help the homeless and make a difference in this world.