Where There Is A Will, There Is A Way

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela. 15 year old Isha Saini has displayed her strong determination by starting a used tool drive at the Alexandria and Fairfax Ace Hardwares with a well known non-profit, Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a global organization which works to transform lives and provide affordable housing for people in need around the world. Isha has always had a passion for aiding those in need, and has participated in other service-oriented activities such as being a Red Cross volunteer and volunteering at her local senior citizens home.

Isha approached Habitat for Humanity with a project idea - a tool drive for used tools to help those in need. Isha was ecstatic to have received approval to move forward with this project idea, and began to work on setting up the drive. For several weeks after school Isha would call hardware stores big names and small to see if they were interested in participating in the used tool drive. Ace Hardware was a go. Isha next created marketing material for Habitat for Humanity’s Used Tool Drive running through the end of January 2024 that was posted in her neighborhood and social media to drop off used tools at the Fairfax/Alexandria Ace Hardware store locations or at any Habitat for Humanity Restore. With Isha’s strong dedication, drive, and commitment, Isha was able to collect tools in the span of 1 month, which were then brought to the Habitat for Humanity Restores in order to raise funds for future projects. Even though countless stores rejected her tool drive proposal and did not wish to participate, the 15 year old still persisted in discovering ways to give back to her community and created her very own project which has made an outstanding impact on the Northern Virginia community, and in her own perspective of community service and passion projects. Isha will continue to work with Habitat for Humanity leading creative projects to give back to the community. Isha has always been a firm believer that passion and discipline are the key factors to turning an idea into reality. “When there’s a will, there’s a way, and there are always opportunities for anyone, regardless of age, to give back to their communities. All that is required is the drive to take action in order to turn imagination into action.” -Isha Saini.