Patrick Foster - co-founder of Dallas is Love
SHS senior named Spirit of CommunityDate: Friday, March 13, 2009 |
| By Patty Montagno Staff writer Sachse High School student Patrick Foster loves to help others. Five years ago, Patrick and his sister Tania founded Dallas is Love, a charitable organization that has raised nearly $300,000 to support American troops overseas. Patrick’s hard work and caring spirit have not gone unnoticed. Last month it was announced that the SHS senior was one of only 102 students nationwide to win the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award. The winners were 51 students in high school and 51 students in middle school. Ten of the 102 will be named America’s top youth volunteers for 2009. As part of the recognition, Patrick will receive a $1,000 award, an engraved medallion and a free trip to Washington, D.C. in early May when the top winners will be named. “The feeling that I get out of volunteering is very special,” Patrick said. “Just knowing that the time I spend on these projects could change this world for the better somehow. I especially love to give back to the troops because of their choice to serve our nation fighting for freedom for all of us.” Patrick thanks his parents and SHS Principal Steve Hammerle for helping him balance his volunteer projects, school work and competitive tennis. “I am able to maintain everything because I have learned to keep my priorities together,” he said. “I try to manage my time as much as possible each day.” Hammerle said the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level. The program’s goals are to “applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities,” according to the organizaiton. Over the past 13 years, more than 200,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 80,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer work. Patrick’s passion for volunteering began in 2004 when the Foster family spent their summer vacation visiting some of Mrs. Foster’s relatives in Seoul, Korea. “During that visit we had the opportunity to visit one of the military bases and were surprised at the harsh conditions,” Mrs. Foster said. “All during the rest of the vacation and even on the trip home, Tania and Patrick could not get the picture of those troops out of their mind.” “Those soldiers seemed so willing to sacrifice everything to serve our country in such a remote, harsh location,” Patrick said. “I just knew there had to be something we could do to help.” After a little family brainstorming session and numerous phone calls and e-mails to the Department of the Army and other government organizations, “Dallas is Love” was born. The Fosters applied for 501c3 status, and the fundraising began. Since that summer, Dallas is Love has obtained sponsorship through Schick Razors, Rena Levi Cosmetics, Sally Hansen Cosmetics, Jack Black Cosmetics and Robbins Bros World’s Largest Engagement Store. The organization is supported by professional sports organizations Dallas Mavericks, former Dallas Cowboys Tony Hill, Billie Joe Dupree and Robert Newhouse as well as Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. “We have impacted more than 20,000 military troops worldwide,” Patrick said. “Dallas is Love has raised more than $40,000 in cash and $250,000 in merchandise to help support the 43 bases worldwide.” Last year Patrick initiated a project to provide a turkey roaster and other items so a Sachse High School teacher’s husband stationed in Iraq so he could celebrate Thanksgiving. Dallas is Love also sponsored a cruise for 400 single soldiers in Korea and two luncheons for local units of soldiers and participated in a surprise engagement for a soldier who had just returned from Iraq. In the last few years Patrick collected more than 30,000 cans of food for the annual SHS food drive and coordinated a coat drive for homeless people. Hammerle said the nomination process for the Prudential award began last January. “The school receives many solicitations every year for student nominations for various awards and recognitions,” Hammerle said. “We all agreed that Patrick was the perfect fit for this very prestigious award.” In his recommendation letter to the Prudential committee, Hammerly said he noted that Patrick is captain of the SHS tennis team, carries a 4.45 grade point average, ranks eighth in a class of 518, is student council president and was Homecoming King. He was chosen Outstanding Student of the Year during his sophomore year and is a member of the National Honor Roll for Academic Excellence. Patrick has earned an academic letter for the past three years. He has been chosen a class favorite as well as being voted Mr. All Sachse High School. “Patrick is a very hard-working young man,” Hammerle said. “He is an enthusiastic student who is focused on his goals and is actively involved in his school and community. Patrick’s peers and teachers respect him. I can attest without reservation that he is an exemplary student.” Patrick has also been recognized with the NAACP Image award, the Daily Points of Light and Top 10 Youth Web sites awards, Command Sergeant Major appreciation coin, the 2nd Infantry Division award and the Youth Leadership Garland award. He was also chosen as one of the Dale Hansen Scholar Athletes of the Week. He is a member of the Congressional Youth Advisory Council and the National Honor Society. Patrick will be attending a university of his choice this fall. Choosing a college major has been somewhat problematic, Patrick said. “I had always wanted to major in computer science to pursue a career in video game design until I spent a summer as an intern at NASA where I developed an interest in aerospace robotics,” he said. “I could also major in mechanical engineering to pursue a career with NASA working with artificial intelligence and robotics in the aid of space exploration. Also, I would like to minor in psychology because I have a very keen interest in that field due to its complexity.” No matter what college path Patrick chooses, he said volunteering will always be a part of his life. “Volunteering and organizing charity projects is important because we need to give back and reinvest in our community,” he said. “Even the smallest act of kindness makes a big difference in our world. I strive for a better world so it is my goal to do whatever I can to make a difference.” |