[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E631-E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING HANNAH KARANICK--ONE OF THE TOP 10 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS IN THE 
                             UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. LUIS CORREA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2019

  Mr. CORREA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Hannah Karanick, 13, 
of Anaheim, California, who was named one of America's top 10 youth 
volunteers of 2019 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards during 
the program's 24th annual national award ceremony on May 9 in 
Washington, D.C.
  Selected from a field of more than 29,000 youth volunteers from 
across the country, Hannah has earned the title of National Honoree, 
along with a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a 
crystal trophy for her school, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential 
Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of her choice.
  An eighth-grader at Orangeview Junior High School, Hannah established 
a ``closet'' at her former elementary school that provides new 
clothing, laundry products, toiletries, quilts and school supplies to 
students there whose families can't afford to buy such necessities. Her

[[Page E632]]

project was sparked by a boy at her school who never had a backpack and 
wore the same clothes every day. ``He was funny and smart, but he was 
often teased for his hygiene and his clothes, and I saw his eyes fill 
up with tears many times,'' said Hannah.
  When the boy and several other students ended up living with Hannah's 
family as foster kids, ``I watched their grades soar and their 
attitudes turn around,'' she said.
  Since her family couldn't take every child in need into their home, 
Hannah had to find another way to help. After meeting with the 
principal of her old school and sending an opinion poll to its staff 
members, she decided to create a closet at the school where students 
could discreetly obtain basic necessities.
  She asked friends and family members to help her buy supplies, and 
then began obtaining items from the congregation of a local church. 
Nearly 50 children benefited from ``Hannah's Helpful Hands'' closet in 
its first three months. ``I am disappointed that I can't help more kids 
at this point,'' said Hannah, ``but I am committed to expanding the 
program!''
  Madam Speaker, Hannah Karanick has not only done important work in 
support of people in need--but has also shown her peers that young 
people can, and do, create meaningful change. I commend this young 
volunteer for all she's contributed to her community.

                          ____________________