Watsontown student receives praise for service to Children's Miracle Network

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Kayla Shoemaker

LOCK HAVEN, PA (02/10/2012)(readMedia)-- For Lock Haven University freshman Kayla Shoemaker, community service is very much a way of life. In the last three years, Kayla has raised over $3500 for Children's Miracle Network at Geisinger.

Recently, one of Kayla's professors at Lock Haven University received a letter from Callie A. Kalie, assistant coordinator of Children's Miracle Network at Geisinger, praising Kayla as a remarkable young lady. "Kayla has been an active member of Children's Miracle Network student community team," said Kalie. "When she is not helping her local 4-H club in collecting new teddy bears to donate to the kids at Janet Weis Children's Hospital, Kayla has organized and produced events such as a rock-a-thon, raffle dinner-and-dance event, and has sold many Children's Miracle Network icons."

Kayla explains that the rock-a-thon was about rocking chairs, not music. Volunteers were sponsored for the time they spent rocking in front of the local Wal-Mart. "We didn't just raise funds," Kayla says. "We also raised awareness about Children's Miracle Network."

The rock-a-thon increased Kayla's awareness also. "One of the Miracle Kids, a three-year-old, sat on my lap. She was born very prematurely and has health and development problems. She was so outgoing and would interact with anyone. I realized that it's all about kids like this. It's all about the children."

Another of Kayla's fundraising events was a "duck derby" off the Watsontown Bridge. She organized a Chinese auction in January; now, she is working on a raffle of a handmade quilt donated by her grandmother.

Kayla is the daughter of Gene and Wendy Shoemaker. Kayla's family plays an important role in her fundraising activities. Her mother has served on many community service committees in their hometown, Watsontown. As a result, the whole family has been involved in community service projects and Kayla was able to "get a taste of organizing, delegating, and implementing." Her mother helped Kayla organize the rock-a-thon, Kayla's first project, and Kayla was a quick learner. Kayla is also a member of a 4-H group that focuses on service, group projects, leadership and recreational activities.

All of her community service involvement helped Kayla to decide on her major at Lock Haven University. She is majoring in Recreation Management, with a Community/Commercial concentration.

Kayla will be invited to share her story during Celebration Weekend with WYOU-TV during a live television broadcast from the Janet Weis Hospital Lobby, June 2 and June 3. As Callie A. Kalie points out, "Kayla continues to be a role model in student community service."

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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