Left to right: NBA Representative Aaron Krug, owner 3 Squares Restaurant, May RAY of Hope Alli Kaplan,
Katy Colthart, Clinician at Youth Services
May 2016 Recipient – Alli Kaplan
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Alli is a senior at Needham High school. She was nominated by Liz Loveless, a clinician at Youth Services for her volunteer work with Peer Tutor, VIP, and Make a Statement Day. She has been a Peer Tutor for three years earning over 80 hours of community service. “Alli served as a meaningful academic support to her tutee. She is consistent and reliable as a tutor, something families and tutees really value. Despite her busy schedule, Alli always makes time to meet her tutee’s needs and help them feel comfortable with and confident in the work they are doing,” acknowledges Liz.” In Make A Statement Club Alli was my go to student. This year, we had a change of schedule on the day of the event and Alli really stepped up to the plate to get things done last minute,” states Liz.
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“Volunteering is a very important part of my life and I love giving back to others in need. My passion for volunteering came from my dad who started his own charity called Bright Spirit Children’s Foundation,” says Alli. The Bright Spirit Children’s foundation is a Needham based charity that helps provide distractive entertainment for terminally ill children while in the hospital. Alli has helped with fundraising and has sold raffle tickets at the different charity events. “It’s an amazing charity and I’m proud of the work done here to help children,” states Alli.
Besides volunteering for Youth Services as a VIP mentor and tutor, Alli also volunteers at Newton Wellesley Hospital every Thursday with Child Life Services. She helps entertain sick children who are staying there or recovering from surgery. “I love meeting the children and talking with the parents,” says Alli.
In her free time Alli enjoy spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys dancing Hip Hop, working out at the gym and to travel. This fall I will be attending Elon University in North Carolina. We look forward to hearing what the future holds for her.
Watch the ceremony honoring Alli at: https://youtu.be/-TiQqE9iex0
For more information please visit www.needhamma.gov/youth/ray
