QV Student Plans 'Compassion' Carnival Saturday at Sewickley Community Center

A youth missionary trip with last summer left a lasting impression on Zoe Stanley, so much that she decided to raise awareness and aid for an organization that helps young people in poverty.

The Quaker Valley sophomore had the opportunity in Chicago to meet a girl who escaped from South Africa for a better life in the United States thanks to Compassion, a Christian group that works with churches in Third World countries to help poverty-stricken youth.

Inspired, Zoe got involved as a monthly sponsor and wrote letters of encouragement to another youth. The 15-year-old hopes to raise at least $1,000 for the charity.

Zoe plans to have a Compassion Carnival from 2-4 p.m. at the , Chadwick Street. 

"I'm proud of her and hope she makes her fundraising goal," said her mother, Nia Stanley. "She was really touched by the Compassion presentation given at the youth missionary trip last summer."

The carnival will include games, food and prizes.

Mike Bozic, financial representative-FIC for the Modern Woodmen Of America, will attend the event to present a $4,630 check to the community center.

Bozic said the community center sponsored a raffle to raise $2,315 that the Modern Woodmen will match. The group's matching-funds program supports community causes, organizations or individuals in need. Recently, members built and donated benches for the mid-section of the Coraopolis business district and are planning to help install a community playground at a church in Moon.

Bozic will present a poster-size check to the center's board. Bozic and his wife, Mima, have also supported a young girl from Ecuador through Compassion for years, and Bozic said he is proud to be connected to the carnival supporting a worthy cause.

He hopes the carnival and the fundraiser will help raise awareness about Compassion and unsung volunteer efforts at the community center, which include an active food bank all year long and overseeing swimming pool operations and a community garden in the summer.

 “Our belief is to support the total person and support the community,” Bozic said.