When I was 14 years old, I started my very own blanket business. It had started out as just a hobby until I started selling them to family, friends, and community members. Throughout the past 3 years I have made and sold around 150 blankets, over 400 products, and participated in many vendor shows. When I started my blanket business, I never imagined that it would become a way to support a cause bigger than myself. When a local family friend was diagnosed with a serious form of brain cancer at the age of just 11 years old, I immediately knew I wanted to help. I decided to create and organize my own fundraiser through my business where I made products and sold them to community members as they were ordered. In just 24 hours of posting my fundraising opportunity I had already received close to 100 orders from people in the community. I had more products to make than I had ever imagined I would. I spent countless hours making products as I was still receiving more orders. While being encouraged to post and say I needed to cut off any new orders because of how overwhelming it was, I knew that there was no way I could do that. I continued receiving orders and I persevered to receive as much money as I could for the family. I was so encouraged seeing all of the kind messages and many donations come in as well as the orders themselves that I was able to pass on to the family. Organizing a fundraiser through my business to support their battle was more than just a way to raise money, it was an opportunity to make a real difference in someone's life. The experience taught me the power of compassion, community, and action. All of these values are what inspire my dream in wanting to become an elementary school teacher someday. I have learned that I am fueled by having the ability to help others around me. My goal is to become an elementary school teacher not just to teach kids, but to also be a kind, empathetic, and positive light for my students as well.