About Sara & her Service ... Written by her Mom 
In December of 2006 Sara joined 200 other volunteers to help build basic shelter for very needy families in Mexico. This was Sara’s 3rd year of participating in this 4 day building project called Club Mud. The Club Mud experience has left quite an impression on my daughter. The incredible sense of accomplishment and awareness that she gains during this adventure continues to inspire her throughout the year. She is incredibly passionate about her participation in this service endeavor.
When she returned from Club Mud the 1st time (2004) she set a goal of raising enough money to pay for one 10X12 ft. pop-house ($1550.00). Sara created homemade crafts and attended many events selling her wares. Selling her creations at fairs and local parks she raised more than $200.00. Sara also made a presentation at a business lunch which raised $70.00. Not satisfied with her results, she then submitted a proposal to her church, asking for help to reach her goal. Sara’s proposal resulted in a $3,000.00 donation from her church, bring her fund raising total for that year to $3,270.00.
The following year she was at it again, selling homemade soy candles and submitting fund raising proposals to local organizations, bringing much awareness and needed support to this worthy cause. Many friends and family contributed money, some knitted hats, scarves, and socks for Sara to take to Mexico, and there was even a $500.00 donation of tools for construction.
In addition to Sara’s 4 days building houses in Mexico, she logged 64 volunteer hours during 2006. Throughout the year Sara continued with her fund-raising for Club Mud, she volunteered for the Make a Wish Foundation walk-a-thon, created gift boxes for Operation Christmas Child, participated in singing at elder-care homes in Sacramento, caroling at the Shriners Hospital, collected school supplies for the Mustard Seed School for homeless children, and distributing groceries locally through Sierra Arden Church. Recently Sara also committed to reading to preschoolers and assisting in the preschool class at Mustard Seed School two mornings each month.
Sara's greatest personal impact has been that she impresses upon her friends that they are not too young or too small to help. She shows them pictures of the houses that she helped to build, the clothes and shoes that she helped to get to the children of Mexico, she beams with pleasure as she shares about " friends in Mexico that are now warm and dry". When she shares her experiences first hand, her peers see that they too can make a difference through service. Sara truly finds pleasure in helping others, her joy shines through and helps her friends to perceive service as an opportunity, not a chore.
I applaud her resolve and her passion. I am incredibly proud of her determination. Sara’s experiences have cemented an important life lesson…….. everyone, even a passionate and committed eight year old, can truly make a difference.
Toni Vassallo You can visit the Club Mud website at www.clubdust.org
