Risha Shukla, 13, of Irvine was named one of California’s top two youth volunteers by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring youth for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Risha, who is a proud Girl Scout Cadette with Troop 1442, was nominated for the award by the Girl Scout Council of Orange County.

 

The spirit of volunteerism runs deep in all Girl Scouts, and Risha has developed an extraordinary passion for helping sick children. Risha has a chronic illness that has landed her in the hospital numerous times since she was seven. Her own hospital experiences inspired her to cofound the Kids Who Care Foundation with her parents. Her work for the foundation helped earn the eighth-grader a Girl Scout Silver Award, the top national award for Girl Scouts in grades 6-9.

 

During one hospital stay, Risha received a handmade “card quilt” from friends. “The cards brightened up my month-long hospital stay, and I believe it helped me recover,” Risha said. “I wanted other children to feel the same way I did.”

 

The foundation sends cards, qifts and smile packs containing toys, games, books, DVDs and other items to sick children in U.S. and European hospitals. There is also a traveling variety show to entertain young patients. Whenever Risha’s health allows, she does public speaking and fundraising to recruit volunteers and secure donations for Kids Who Care.

 

“We have reached more than 500 children all over the world with the help of over 1,000 caring youth from our community,” Risha said. “Interacting with these [chronically ill] children really makes a huge difference to them and their families and shows them that we truly do care.”

 

In addition to receiving a $1,000 award, Risha will go to Washington D.C. in May for several whirlwind days of national recognition events, including congressional visits and a gala awards ceremony.

 

“We are extremely proud of Risha,” says Nancy Nygren, CEO of the Girl Scout Council of Orange County. “She personifies the strong values, drive and spirit that are at the heart of the Girl Scout leadership program. Through her volunteer work, Risha is truly making the world a better place.”

 

Risha has received numerous awards for her efforts on the behalf of sick children. Most recently she was recognized as California’s 2010 Top Middle School Youth Volunteer and was nominated by Teen Voice magazine as Activist of The Month.

 

The Kids Who Care Foundation is holding a 5K Charity Walk/Ski/Run-A-Thon on March 6 at Irvine Re-gional Park. For more information visit www.kidswhocareclub.org.