Get to know our volunteers

Mahalie Hill: AYUDA's youngest ever volunteer

(Innovative Fundraiser, Boise , Idaho ‘07)

Mahalie Hill is only 7 ½ years old, however, she has broken down barriers in more ways than one. Mahalie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in February of 2005. This past December, Mahalie and her family went on vacation to a small fishing village in Mexico . While in Mexico , the family learned of many tragic stories of locals, also with diabetes, unable to care for themselves and afford the proper supplies. When the Hills returned to the States, upon Mahalie's request, they immediately began researching charitable diabetes organizations when they came upon AYUDA. It was a perfect match, just what Mahalie was looking for. In January, Mahalie's fundraising quest began and her mother promised to match any money she raised. Libby Hill, Mahalie's mother says “her goal was to raise $100, which I told her I would match. She raised $540 as of January 31 st so my match was higher than expected (gladly!)”. Mahalie also involved her classmates at Rose Hill Montessori in Boise , Idaho where the children donated money from their own piggy banks to help Mahalie's fundraising. To date, Mahalie has raised over $1000 and her efforts are continuing with help from her classmates and the Boise Co-op. The Rose Hill Montessori lower elementary classes are designing water bottles to be sold at the Co-op on behalf of AYUDA. Mahalie is an inspiration to us all and says she just “hopes this helps some children”.

In her thank-you card to AYUDA, she writes: