OFM_YouthVolunteers_0520FINAL_CEN_Pages 4 / 23 / 20 9 : 57 AM Page 2 Noah and Jared Weiss Emma Benner Isabelle Daoust Emma Benner accrued the most volunteer hours in her class . the zoo , her family began to volunteer also and now Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens they are all involved with special events and family Benner , a 17 - year - old senior at Circle Christian Katie Daley programming . Recently , during the zoo’s Asian School , serves as a Teen Team volunteer at the zoo . Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando Lantern Festival , Ponds logged the most hours of Teen Team is a life skills program open to teenagers any volunteer . Volunteer manager Bry Sidwell says s a volunteer at Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando , ages 13 to 17 who are interested in exploring a Ponds was eager to be involved in all aspects of 17 - year - old Daley helps clean cages , attends to A career involving animals . Benner participates in a making the festival a success . Because of her passion the shelter’s dogs , raises money for the organization , wide variety of and dedication , Ponds will be transitioning into the donates her time to its Paws in activities such as conservation days , the Park event , and zoo’s adult volunteer program early , something animal encounters with guests , off - site career days fosters puppies and kittens . Pet Alliance of Greater only a select few youth volunteers are chosen to do . and school break camps . Volunteer manager Bry Orlando is the area’s largest nonprofit animal welfare Sidwell says Benner helps to make the zoo’s education agency . Daley began volunteering for the organization Jacob Israel , programs , specifically its homeschool program , in 2013 and has since given more than 530 hours Boy Scouts Troop 111 come to life . “ Many of our students look up to of her time to the agency . On top of other duties , Orange County Animal Services Emma , as she is also a homeschool student and she delivers pet food to the elderly so they can feed these students hope to be like her in a few years , ” their animals . Daley started a club at Lake Highland entral Florida Boy Scout Troop 111 recently Sidwell says . Because of her maturity and engaging Preparatory School , where she is a senior , called built an agility ramp for a dog play yard at C personality , Benner will be transitioning early into Paws4Claws that supports Pet Alliance by making Orange County Animal Services ( OCAS ) . The the zoo’s adult volunteer program . toys for the animals , putting on bake sales to raise idea for the project came from Israel as a part of his money and providing volunteers for the agency’s mitzvah project , which is a good deed young people Noah and Jared Weiss events . going through their bar or bat mitzvah do . Israel’s Kids Beating Cancer family had adopted a cat from OCAS and he was Nathien Cole aware of the needs of the organization . The scouts ’ rothers Noah , 15 , and Jared Weiss , 13 , have Orlando Science Center project involved examining the existing ramp , pur - supported Kids Beating Cancer for several years B chasing the supplies and a day of building . Israel by donating money they received from their bar ole , 17 , serves on the Youth Visitor Experience was able to get the cost of the supplies donated . mitzvahs to fund the nonprofit’s My Room program . Team at the Orlando Science Center ( OSC ) C OCAS volunteer coordinator Crystal Kincaid says Kids Beating Cancer works to advance life - saving where he does science demonstrations from revealing the agility ramp has been a great enrichment piece treatments for pediatric cancer and support magic tricks to stacking chairs children against gravity . Cole , for the dogs and the shelter is thankful to have and their families through their cancer journey . who attends University High School , welcomes amazing volunteers who help make a difference for The organization’s My Room program gives people guests to participate in the demonstra - shelter pets every day . the opportunity to sponsor the decorating of a tions , cheers them on as they attempt cancer patient’s hospital room . Once the patient and consoles when they sometimes Isabelle Daoust has selected a theme , a donor will buy bedding , fail . “ Nathien always considers guests Lake Scary 5K decals , toys , PJs and more to decorate the first and celebrates their learning , ” hospital room and turn it into a more com - says Chris Wiewiora , manager s president of the Lake Scary 5k Committee at fortable space for the child . Noah and Jared of volunteer resources at Lake Mary Preparatory School ( LMPS ) , 17 - A have also volunteered their time at the Kids OSC . Science center vis - year - old Daoust volunteers her time organizing the Beating Cancer office and at several itors can find Cole in - annual running event that raises money for UCP of events . spiring a love for Central Florida , a nonprofit that provides support , learning science therapy and education to children with disabilities . Rodrigo Almeida both behind This year , under Daoust’s direction , the Lake Scary Santos and in front 5K Committee of Lake Mary Prep not only had a A Gift For Teaching of the purple record number of runners but was also able to carts around present a record - breaking donation of over $ 10,000 eventeen - year - old the rotun - to UCP . Daoust is also a member of the National Almeida Santos , a S das of the Honor Society and Key Club and vice president of senior at Olympia High center . the school’s thespian troupe . LMPS marketing ad - School , began volunteer - missions specialist , Teddy Johnson says Daoust ing with A Gift for Teach - Katie Daley commits herself to many service causes and has ing as a shopping assistant ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM may 2020 ORLANDO FAMILY 41