Kansas Citians, relax. Kick back and breathe a sigh of relief.

You’ll share our confidence that the future of our city is in good hands as we introduce you to six stellar community service superstars—the oldest of whom is just 23.

Want to feel old? Our honorees were born between 1983 and 1989. Their accomplishments belie their tender years, simultaneously inspiring and humbling us.

No matter the generation, it’s common to comment upon the apathy of those younger, whether it’s the evils of rock ‘n’ roll or the sloth of video games. At Ingram’s, however, we have a history of poking a stick at prevailing wisdom, which led us to this thought from no less a plainspoken curmudgeon than Sargent Shriver:

“The natural idealism of youth is an idealism, alas, for which we do not always provide as many outlets as we should.”

Huh.

Maybe it’s not the responsibility of our children and grandchildren to seek out opportunities for involvement.

Perhaps it’s up to us as community elders to reach out, to create, to invite them to participate. Perhaps the burden is on us to make sure our deeds match our words. Perhaps, when it comes to encouraging service, our duty as adults is to “make ‘em,” as one young volunteer advised.

 

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Kristine Knutter | North Kansas City, Missouri

Kristine Knutter admits with a bit of a laugh that her reasons for getting involved in community service were partly selfish. “When I was in high school, I wanted to get scholarships,” she says. “So I buckled down on my grades and started volunteering. I quickly found out that the non-profit world is where I wanted to be.”

So committed to this goal, Kristine completed the American Humanics certification program in addition to graduating from William Jewell College with a dual major in international business and Spanish. The certification process involves 300 hours of intense training designed to prepare students for leadership positions in non-profit organizations.

Now working as youth programs coordinator at People to People International, Kristine oversees the efforts of student chapters around the world, from the Bahamas to Estonia. “The chapters have individual projects, with everything comes back to us at headquarters,” says Kristine. Members have helped in areas as diverse as landmine removal in Sri Lanka to childhood poverty in Haiti. A massive number of chapters will participate in a variety of efforts for National and Global Youth Service Day, coming up next April.

Founded by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, the organization is dedicated to enhancing cross-cultural communication within each community, as well as across communities and nations. “I really believe in our mission of peace through understanding,” says Kristine. “I try not to be preachy, but the only way to find meaning in life is to help other people. Just imagine how incredible it would be if everyone in Kansas City volunteered.”

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Abbey Bavley | Prairie Village , Kansas

For her 16th birthday, Abbey Bavley wanted a llama. But not for herself. She wanted to raise enough money to buy a llama for a family in Latin America through Heifer International, a non-profit committed to ending hunger by providing sustainable sources of income and food.

So Abbey planned a “Llama Ball,” asking family and friends for donations instead of presents. “I just thought it was ridiculous to get presents,” says the Shawnee Mission East senior. “It seemed gluttonous.” Yes, she raised enough to purchase the llama. Since getting involved with the Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Kansas City in 2003, Abbey has worked on, organized and led several volunteer projects, even helping write grants. This year, she helped plan “Extreme Makeover: YVC Edition” on National Youth Service Day, fixing, painting and landscaping three homes of low-income senior citizens. She serves on the YVC’s Youth Advisory Board and holds down a part-time job, as well.

“Volunteering is such a valuable thing to do with your time,” she says. “No matter what you’re interested in, you’ll find a way to help. And you get so much back.”Her favorite project? The Senior Prom at a local nursing center sponsored by the YVC. “We decorated and played music and served punch. All the kids were in our prom dresses and suits and we danced with the senior citizens. My favorite thing was their reaction—they showed us pictures of their kids and grandkids. They might take a break from dancing, but they would watch everyone else. And those men really know how to dance!”

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