Giving back at an early age: Guaranteed Impact winner Ava Gresser
When Ava Kitty Gresser was just 7 years old, her mother, Helen Dixon, decided it was time for her to learn what it means to give back. Helen introduced Ava to the Honeycomb Project, a nonprofit organization with a focus on family volunteering.
Now 8, Ava and her mother participate in Honeycomb Project events every month. Because of her inspiring efforts, Ava has been selected as the first of 10 Guaranteed Impact winners.
“I want my daughter to have a voice,” Helen explains. “I want her to not just stand by, but to do something.”
Ava has done just that in a variety of ways, including cleaning up the 63rd Street Beach, baking cookies for families at the Ronald McDonald House, building bookcases for a school in Brighton Park and restoring a nature preserve in Lake Calumet. One of her most memorable experiences was at the Anti-Cruelty Society, where she handcrafted toys for the cats and dogs, then toured the facility and saw firsthand the impact she made on their lives.
Aside from Ava’s commitment to making a lasting difference in her community, she’s a straight-A student who enjoys cheerleading, dancing and gymnastics.
“Ava is on her way to becoming an active, conscious and well-rounded citizen,” says Kristina Lowenstein, executive director and co-founder of the Honeycomb Project. “She is a shining example of what the youth of this great city can accomplish.”
This season, Rate and the Chicago White Sox are teaming up to put heroic kids and teens in the spotlight. The Guaranteed Impact Program celebrates young people who are making a positive difference in their schools and communities. The program’s goal is to encourage and empower kids and teens who are working to improve the lives of those around them. Recipients will be treated to a well-deserved day at Rate Field for a White Sox home game in a suite with 15 friends and family.