Allie Kanyetzny
College of Saint Benedict
Allie Kanyetzny, a junior at the College of Saint Benedict, is a student leader committed to serving children with disabilities. As founder and creator of Allie's Wish, Allie leads an effort to support children in need and raise awareness for their disabilities, illnesses or conditions. She coordinates with grant recipients and local community partners, plans and executes fundraising and awareness-building events, and experiences the positive impact of her work on recipients and their families. Allie began this work as a ten-year-old, and her ongoing commitment to this cause has inspired others to give back to their communities in similar ways.
Personal Statement
Ever since I was a little girl I have had a different outlook on life. I have had a desire and a passion for helping those in need. For the past decade I have devoted my time to helping children in need through my charity: Allie's Wish. With my family's help, Allie's Wish was created in 2005 on my 10th birthday where in lieu of gifts I asked for donations to a local homeless shelter. We proceeded to call this birthday wish of mine, Allie's Wish. From then on I have dedicated my birthdays and my life to helping children in need by sponsoring a specific child in need within my community each year. Through my charity I have been able to create meaningful and lifelong relationships with the recipients, raise funds to help pay for the recipient's medical bills while raising awareness for their illness or condition, and encourage others to give back to their communities and those in need. My dream is to someday make Allie's Wish into an official nonprofit. Allie's Wish is my life and has created the woman I am today. I will forever be grateful for having this amazing opportunity.
