My Journey with Candlelighters of Brevard
Introduction
As 2023 comes to an end, I am proud to say that I was finally able to present the Candlelighters of Brevard nonprofit organization with a check for over one thousand dollars! Under this nonprofit, Mind of Culture, I have worked to collect this money over the last two years after being taken in as the first youth ambassador five years ago. Now that 2024 (my graduation year) is here, I will be reflecting on my years with the organization.
Starting Small
At 13 years old, I had my first interview. Natasha Duran, the Executive Director herself, invited me to a Zoom meeting with other company leaders to ensure I was a good fit for the organization, as they had never had a minor volunteer for them before. All I remember was being incredibly nervous, but it must’ve gone well because I was invited to join the team as an ambassador! My first job was to manage their mailing list of the hundreds of donors and volunteers who have worked with them before, ensuring that their upcoming newsletter reached the right place. Though it was a small task, I enjoyed it thoroughly and proved to Natasha that I was ready for bigger projects.
Getting the Hang of it
One of the best parts of working with Candlelighters, though, has absolutely been my “Leadership Development” sessions with Natasha. I’d never had a mentor before, but I realized the significance of it after meeting every month. Though we just discussed my academic experiences in leading teams like study groups and volunteer field trips, her words always touched me personally. This was not only because of her expertise but also because we were shockingly similar! Even today, she gives me fantastic mental and physical health advice learned through her negative experiences of overworking herself when she was my current age, which is a problem I often face as well.
As I got older, Natasha allowed me to participate in more volunteer events. I started off serving at the local Andretti Thrill Park (one of my first ever News posts!), then I began including the Cultural Diversity Club in the yearly Superhero Suit-Up Party, where I taught other students about how to manage nonprofit events and work with people of different backgrounds.
Ending Strong
Though I continued all the events above, the best year of my journey with Candlelighters was definitely this one. For the first time, I was invited to serve at their yearly Christmas Party for the kids to meet Santa, receive presents, and open cards that my club had made. It was enjoyable because I got to bring my best friend, Lindsey, along for her first time working with Candlelighters. She later told me she had fun, but I was unaware of its effect on her until weeks later. It warmed my heart to hear that she included a story about the experience in many of her college applications. I am honored to have introduced another outstanding volunteer to the Candlelighters family, which she can agree is the relationship between everyone who works with them.
With this being said, Natasha and I met up to exchange the check and take photos for the company. I teared up many times during our heartfelt conversation, where she told me how far I had come as a leader and individual. Before leaving, she gifted me a goodie bag that included her own book of inspirational quotes that she told me over the years for when I go off to college.
I chose to raise money for Candlelighters of Brevard when I realized they were not your average nonprofit. They not only donated to pediatric patients in need but also brightened their lives with fun events and lots of smiles. I am so grateful to have been exposed to such wonderful people—both those who work for the organization and those who attend the events—and to be consistently motivated by my loving mentor, Natasha Duran.
Resources