Inspired To Give, San Mateo Teen Wins Congressional App Challenge

From The Office Of Congresswoman Jackie Speier: Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-14) announced Wednesday that Lauren Wong, 15, of San Mateo is the winner of the annual California 14th Congressional District App Challenge. Wong, a sophomore at Nueva School, created DoNation, an app that helps non-profit organizations list donations needed in areas devastated by wildfire to make it easier for donors to give to people in need.

“I created DoNation after the 2017 North Bay Wildfires,” Wong said. “Many wanted to donate but didn’t know which items were needed. Charities had needs but couldn’t instantly update or communicate their requests. By making it easy for charities to post requests and for donors to see listings and even search a map, DoNation seeks to be a mobile connection point for donations and help build a nation of giving.”

Rep. Speier said she was impressed by Wong’s desire to help others and even further impressed when she used the app. “Reading Lauren’s description of DoNation made it obvious that she carries the public service gene,” she said. “Her maturity at age 15 to recognize the need to help fire victims and then to have the technical know-how to turn that desire into an application is truly remarkable. Lauren is the ideal winner of this congressional competition.”

The Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage students’ creativity and encourage participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). It was authorized by House Resolution 77 to not only inspire more students to learn to code, but to engage Members of Congress in developing and promoting science and technology and reach every corner of our country.

The winners of the 2018 App Challenge in all participating Congressional Districts will be announced today on this website.

Image via Shutterstock