College Park Kid Awarded Disney Be Inspired Grant

Chris Matthews, II, a 5th grade student at KIPP South Fulton Academy in East Point has been awarded a Disney Summer of Service grant through YSA (Youth Service America). The grant will support Matthews in leading a community service project that addresses issues of importance to the young philanthropist. On Sunday, December 17, the 10 year old will host his 1st Giving Bowl, a 7 on 7 charity flag football game along with former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket running back, Prince P.J. Daniels, Jr.’s 4LBU Foundation, Here 2 Help, Inc. and Georgia Supreme Association (GSA). The event will be held at Burdett Park (2945 Burdett Rd.) in College Park from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

“I love football and I love helping people so I could not think of a better way to help my community when I asked my mom to help me write this grant. I know that childhood obesity rates are high here in Atlanta and many fami-lies go without good, healthy food. I can’t wait to get out on the field with other local kids at the Giving Bowl and have fun while we attempt to collect food to feed 50 Atlanta families for Christmas,” says Matthews. “I know that if we come together, we can do anything!”

Helping others is not new to Matthews as he started a project called Blankies 4 My Buddies when he was only 5. During the cold months, the Matthews’ family raises funds to buy warm, comfy blankets to distribute to sick and displaced children in hospitals, shelters, and elsewhere.

“We started this project to help him to cope with the loss of his unborn sister in 2013,” says his mother. “Chris was trying to make sense of everything and told me that he never wanted another child to be cold or lonely.” This winter marks the 5th anniversary of Blankies 4 My Buddies.

At the Giving Bowl, teams are required to provide at least one holiday meal for a family of 4 to 6. Youth volunteers from local nonprofit, Here 2 Help, Inc. and Matthews’ football association, GSA will be on hand at the event packing gift boxes to be distributed to families. Attendees are asked to bring canned goods and/or a new child-themed blanket in memory of Matthews’ baby sister.
Matthews is one of 270 young leaders across the country awarded a $500 Disney Summer of Service grant to organize projects to help make their communities healthier, greener and stronger. Grantees will educate and mobilize their peers around issues relevant in their communities, creating solutions through awareness, service, advocacy, and philanthropic activities.

Founded in 1986, YSA (Youth Service America) supports a global culture of engaged children and youth committed to a lifetime of meaningful service, learning, and leadership. With half the world’s population under age 25, YSA’s mission is to help young people find their voice, take action, and make an impact on vital community issues. For more information, visit www.YSA.org.

You can learn more about Matthews’ project at Blankies 4 My Buddies. Donations can be made on the Go Fund Me page.