Student Gives Back for Upcoming Holiday

The holiday can bring joy for many, but sadness for others. A College student decides to take the challenge of giving back and bringing happiness to some. 21-year-old Katherine Hinder gathered a few of her friends to create something memorable for the homeless.

In order to put together this event, Hinder is fundraising as well as donating from her own pockets.
The event has not received a large amount of attention, but many of her friends and family are helping her fundraise, providing their time and donating items.

Hinder is collecting different things from utensils to non-perishable items. During this event, the team will  be playing gospel music as an inspiration and also bring a few pillows and blankets for the homeless.

by: Oluwatosin Adedayo
November 03, 2015

ATLANTA- College student gives back to her community by preparing an event to give out food, blankets, and gifts to the homeless people for the holidays on Saturday Nov. 21.

The Idea
Katherine Hinder told one of her friends that she wanted to do something different this year for the upcoming holidays. Hinder is a 21-year-old student at Dalton State College with big plans for this holiday season.

This holiday season, Hinder wants to give back to the homeless before the holiday comes around. In order to get this event on track, Hinder recruited her friends to help her fundraise for the cost of food, blankets, and gifts for the children.

One of her closest friend, Deborah, decided that she would take this journey with her friend and help her make this event come to life.

The Inspiration 
Deborah is very excited for the event. "I can't wait to see the smiles on their faces when we hand them these things, " Deborah said. "I've always wanted to be the reason someone smile, I will remember this forever."

The students said they have been promoting the events through social media and other sources in order to bring in donations. Hinder said she has always wanted to give back as a child, unfortunately she never had the time. At such a young age, it was hard for her to put together something so big at the time she wanted.

Experiences from her childhood gave her a push on starting the event. "As a child, I was probably around 12 to 15 years old when I was walking through the city of Atlanta with my mother and I saw a man cuddled up underneath a bridge." Hinder said. "I didn't even think nothing of it until my mom gave him $5 and some left over crackers she had in her bag. From there, I always donated money until I was able to make this idea real."

Katherine Hinder (Far Right) volunteering at
Crystal River Florida  to clean up mantes water. Photo
 captured by employees at Crystal River Florida

Promoting the Cause
First, Hinder and her crew had to decide if she wanted it around Thanksgiving or around Christmas. She decided that the best day to do the event was the 21 of November. " The date fits perfectly because I want to share love right before the holiday," she said. "I wanted them to start off  the holiday right with a smile on their faces."

Hinder's mother, Michelle Hinder, is supporting her daughter through this journey. She is helping her daughter spread the word about the upcoming event. "I want everyone to be proud of her," she said. "I want everyone to see that there is still a bright future for the world and that anyone can make a difference regardless of your age."

The community became aware of the event after constant post of the event, it started getting attention through Facebook, Twitter and many other social networks.

Putting it Together
Hinder's neighbor, LeAnne Hampton from her hometown in Sandy Springs, heard about the event and decided to offer her hands to help out. "I've known her since they first moved to the neighborhood," she said. "She has always been such a brilliant child, I know it is for a great cause so I have donated food and money to help her fulfill her wishes and do what's right."

Hinder and her team has received different donations from people. The team wants the community to be aware of the event. They will all be wearing pink T-shirts that say "Operation Kat" during the event. Hinder said she prays that more donations come in as the day of the event grows closer.

The event will take place in Atlanta around MLK Drive where many nonprofit organizations are located in Atlanta. Hinder has volunteered at local homeless shelters before leaving to attend college in Dalton. She hope to gain more attention from more people who would love to help them out with any items.