Minooka Girl Reaches One Goal by Going Backwards

Mallory Traver, 16, Junior at

On Halloween, ghosts and witches will be going door-to-door to gets tricks and treats, but Mallory Traver, will be taking on a challenge that will eventually benefit those in need.

Her challenge this fall is to organize and run a food drive through the

So on Halloween, Traver and several student volunteers will collect canned goods and nonperishable items throughout several Channahon and Minooka subdivisions for Halloween for Hunger Food Drive. 

“Food items will go to families in Minooka and Channahon,” Traver said.

Currently, Traver is seeking more volunteers to help pass out flyers in several Channahon and Minooka subdivisions on Sunday, Oct. 23. For those interested in helping, email Traver at mallorytraver@gmail.com.

Food items are accepted at Chanooka Wish Foundation. More information can be found at their website.

The food drive is the second of Traver’s challenges this month.

On Sunday, October 2, Traver spent a beautiful, sunny, 70 degree afternoon participating in the Annual .

Traver and her friends were just wrapping up the process of handing in their solicitations, when a church parishioner gladly told her that he would pledge $150 to her walk.

But there was a challenge attached. The church parishioner had her friends choose it. The result was for Traver to walk the 5K race backwards.

“It really is harder than it looks,” Traver said. “I had lots of encouragement, but it was extremely painful towards the end.”

Traver plans to participate in the walk next year. Whether it’s walking forwards or backwards, we will just have to wait and see.

Traver patiently awaits now to hear whether she will be inducted into the National Honors Society at school. She has no worries. The grade point average required is 3.8 or higher. She has a 4.1.

She was recently heart broken when she was two points shy of going to the State competitions for tennis. But she is ok with it and plans to try-out for the spring musical.

Most of Traver’s time is spent on homework, including three classes she is taking affiliated with . She plans to attend JJC her first year of college and transfer to University of Indianapolis or Western Michigan University and study geriatric occupational therapy.

“I’ve always been able to work well with older people,” Traver said.

Working with people has always been easy for Traver. She has volunteered her time through her church and missionary trips in the U.S. During these trips she has helped paint homes and clean schools. She is looking forward to attending a missionary trip in the Appalachian Mountains in the spring.

“It’s definitely an eyeopener,” Traver said. “I’m grateful for what I have.”