The Association of Fundraising Professionals North Louisiana Chapter annually hosts an awards luncheon in honor of National Philanthropy Day to recognize the contributions that individuals and organizations make to nonprofits.<\/p>\n
This year’s National Philanthropy Day Luncheon will be Nov. 15 at 11:30 a.m. at Hilton Garden Inn on Old Minden Road in Bossier City. The 2017 philanthropic awards are given in Categories including Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation, Outstanding Philanthropic Organization, Outstanding Fundraising Executive, Outstanding Fundraising Volunteer and Outstanding Young\/Young Adult Philanthropic Leader(s).<\/p>\n
The Providence House of Shreveport nominated Providence House Youth Advisory Council Member Abigail Roberts for the 2017 Outstanding Young Philanthropic Leader award and she won.<\/p>\n
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Abigail Roberts is a Junior at Captain Shreve High School and the daughter of Danny and Tara Roberts.\u00a0 At Captain Shreve, Abigail is an honor student in the Liberal Arts Magnet Program and a Varsity Volleyball Player.\u00a0 She participates in many clubs and organizations at Shreve including a young women\u2019s community service organization called Z Club for which she is co Event Coordinator, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Science Club, Beta Club, Student Council, No One Eats Alone Ambassador Program Leader and Drama Club.\u00a0 Abigail is also a member of the Youth Advisory Council for the Providence House of Shreveport.<\/p>\n
Outside of Shreve. Miss Roberts enjoys barrel racing on her horse Buckshot in Georgia, attending church at Summer Grove Baptist Church and organizing \/ attending community service projects.\u00a0 Abigail launched her own volunteer organization in the 8th grade called “What’s Your DASH?”\u00a0 Her mission statement is “Life isn’t about finding who you are its about finding who God created you to be.” The DASH is your time you have on this earth to make an impact.\u00a0 She intentionally utilizes a volunteer platform to not alienate individuals with different beliefs which allows her the opportunity to connect with other young people through the common desire to give back to the community.\u00a0 Miss Roberts coordinates and promotes many volunteer events annually but 3 are most significant. First, she conducts a #BagsWithBasics initiative every fall to secure donations for a local Homeless assistance center called The Hope House of Shreveport. Second, she conducts several #SummerServe projects to benefit the Providence House of Shreveport, another Homeless assistance center and The Hope House. The projects target summer\/fall athletes that are busy perfecting their craft and need volunteer hours and opportunities for participation.\u00a0 Third, she works with a local nursing home each spring to bring volunteers to an event called “Dancing with the Seniors”.\u00a0 Elementary, Middle and High School students participate as audience, make room visits and socialize with the seniors.<\/p>\n
Miss Roberts is considering attending Ouachita Baptist University after graduation and would love the opportunity to continue playing volleyball at the next level as well as introducing her community service organization to the college campus.<\/p>\n
Abigail is thankful for the opportunity to serve her community, spread the love of Christ and teach young people how they can be world changers through volunteerism.<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteering is extremely rewarding.\u00a0 It has taught me that I am a very capable and influential person no matter how old I am.\u00a0 I have been humbled and have learned to appreciate what I have and how lucky I am to have a home, clothes and food to eat.\u00a0 I’ve learned that whether you help one or a hundred or have one or a hundred volunteers, all of them are equally important and have the same potential for future impact and multiplication to do more good and spread volunteer efforts.\u201d\u00a0 –Abigail Roberts<\/p>\n