Twelve-Year-Old Des Moines Youth Named Semifinalist in National Community Service Recognition Program

Twelve-year-old, Chloe O’Connor, from Des Moines has been named a semifinalist in a nationwide community service recognition program – the Build-A-Bear Workshop Huggable Heroes program.  The program recognizes youths who perform extraordinary acts in their communties and around the world.

O'Connor, a 6th grader at Cowles Montessori, developed Caring Kits to help foster kids celebrate their birthdays. Instead of presents at her own birthday party, she asks her friends to bring gifts appropriate for boys or girls ages six through 14.  Each month O'Connor delivers her Caring Kits which also include bubbles, crayons, coloring books, reading books, small plush toys and knock-knock jokes, to Children & Families of Iowa.  So far, she has donated more than 400 items valued at $2,000. Way to go Chloe!