Teen Members of Valley Forge Chapter of NCL, Inc. Inspired by Speaker Julia Rae Schlucter

The Valley Forge Chapter of National Charity League, Inc. recently held their February meeting at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, located at 3050 West Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA. Over 80 girls attended the meeting, including girls from grades 7th through 12th. The event started with each grade of girls breaking into smaller groups to take part in their monthly business meetings.

Following their meetings, Julia Rae Schlucter, a special and inspiring guest speaker was brought in to speak with the girls about reaching for their dreams no matter what the obstacles. Schlucter founded the 501 © (3) non-profit organization, "Singing At the Top of My Lungs," in June 2008 when she was just 16 years old. The organization is dedicated to funding research for a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma and empowering hospitalized kids and teens to reach for their dreams. Born with Cystic Fibrosis and a dream to perform, Schlucter uses her talent in singing to take the stage to cure lung disease and empower kids to reach for their dreams. Now 22, she is an accomplished performer, who has performed at several big venues including the Miss America Pagent, and travels to share her inspiring story and mission with kids and teens throughout the United States. Her story and message was inspiring to all who attended and aligned perfectly with the mission and purpose of the NCL, Inc. experience which inspires and empowers women to succeed as confident, well-rounded and socially aware contributors in their communities.

Inspired by Schlucter's message, the girls quickly got busy using their own talents to create paracord bracelets in support of their philanthropy partner, Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude is one of several philanthropic groups served by the members of the Valley Forge Chapter of NCL, Inc. Their mission is to lift sprits,express thanks and meet the needs of our Military communities. Throughout the year, members create items to include in care packages sent to military deployed overseas as well as their children left behind. Eighty potentionally life-saving paracord bracelets were made by the girls during the event and will be placed in care packages with other items to be sent to deployed military personell.

National Charity League, Inc. is a national non-profit organization comprised of mother and daughter members in Chapters across the United States. The Mission of NCL, Inc. is to foster mother-daughter relationships in a philanthropic organization committed to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences. As a chapter, members have volunteered over 4,700 hours during the past year. For information regarding, membership in the Valley Forge Chapter of National Charity League, Inc., please visit our website: valleyforge.nationalcharityleague.org.

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