Recently, Youth Together, an organization started by Kyle Freas in 2002 to teach children about community service banded with Plano West Senior High HOSA, Vines High School and Plano Senior High NHS to run change drives to help provide hats to children with cancer. These hats are autographed by athletes, entertainers and another notables to children who have lost their hair due to medical treatment. Thousands of celebrities have supported this program started by Dr. Stephen Heinrich in New Orleans and entertainers such as Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Peyton Manning, Lance Armstrong, Beyonce Knowles and Garth Brooks are just a few who have participated. Dr. Heinrich was looking for a way to treat kids spirits as well as their bodies like Patch Adams. After seeing the delight after giving a patient a cap signed by a New Orleans coach, Caps for Kids was born. Plano teens have generously donated to allow these kids with life threatening illnesses to receive a hat with their choice of autograph from their favorite celebrity. We raised over a $1000 to help with obtaining these hats.
Youth Together has 10 different projects that PTA’s, student councils, and various leadership groups can get involved in to teach their children about helping their community. It is a proven fact that youth that are involved in their community while they are young will continue that process as adults.