It wasn’t about awards or recognition. For Princess Anne Middle School student Chase Anthony, getting involved in philanthropic work began as something more special: honoring his third-grade teacher Laurie Dreelin and raising money for breast cancer awareness. Sadly, Dreelin lost her fight to breast cancer in 2012 while Anthony was still a student at Strawbridge Elementary School.
Now, the seventh grade student’s heartfelt cause has earned him the honor as one of Virginia’s two top youth volunteers in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program, which is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.
“Mrs. Dreelin always makes us feel good and happy even though she has breast cancer,” he wrote back in 2012. “The teachers and a lot of students wear pink every Wednesday and I wear a pink bracelet and shoelaces every day” he added referencing the color that today is symbolic with breast cancer awareness.
But that was only the start of numerous awareness events and fundraising efforts.
Lemonade stands, car washes, yard sales, dodgeball tournaments and t-shirt sales followed thanks to Anthony and his fellow friends (whom he calls the Pink Posse) and who have become a fundraising powerhouse for the cause. His efforts have even launched the “Chaseing 4 A Cure” group, one of the largest race teams in the Susan G. Komen Tidewater’s Race for the Cure fun run/walk held each October. At Princess Anne Middle School Chase even inspired a “celebrate pink day,” “pink pep rally” and “pink football game.”
Now he’s headed to Washington, D.C. to further the cause.
Anthony and the high school honoree from Virginia will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. where they will join honorees from other states for a series of events from April 30 – May 3. One of the events is an awards gala at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Past speakers at the event have included notable public figures such as Condoleezza Rice, John Glenn and Colin Powell.
Six other Virginia students were named distinguished finalists in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, including Landstown senior class president Justice Baird, who was inspired to give back after his family lost their home to a fire. Those efforts have resulted in the school raising $35,000 in the past four years.
In addition to the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, Anthony also qualified for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and country. A President’s Volunteer Service Award certificate and a letter from President Barack Obama will be mailed to him.
To stay informed of Anthony’s work, follow him on Twitter, @Chaseing4acure.
What fine and amazing young men! You are inspiration to your peers and the community. Thank you for the leadership and caring you demonstrate.
Mighty proud of both these young men!
Congratulations to these two fine leaders for demonstrating a contagious passion!