The gift of giving back: Three young women put talent to work helping others

While many think of the years of childhood and youth as a time to be self-indulgent and carefree, several kids in the Southeast Missouri area devote a lot of time, passion, and energy to causes that serve others. Meet three local young women who are doing their part to improve their community and the world:

Karsyn Connell poses for a portrait Saturday, Jan. 11, at Somewhere in Time Antiques in Cape Girardeau. Connell sells her own line of necklaces and magnets at the store, which is owned by her grandmother, and donates a portion of the profits to the SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance. (Adam Vogler)

Doing it for the dogs

Karsyn Connell, 11

Karsyn Connell, an 11-year-old 5th-grader at Central Middle School in Cape, got introduced to the SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance through her mom, Angie Andrews.

"I've always been an animal lover, and a couple of years ago, we adopted a dog from an animal rescue (facility)," says Andrews.

Andrews eventually began volunteering with the SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance.

Animals available at rescue centers have been fully vetted (all shots, etc. are up to date), healed of any wounds they might have had when they arrived at the rescue, and are completely ready for adoption.

"Rescues don't turn away any dogs and they are no-kill," says Andrews, meaning that the dogs are not put down due to overpopulation.

Connell saw the financial needs of the area rescues by visiting them with her mom, and she wanted to help.

"My cousin, Kennedy Connell, makes dominoes (themed) jewelry for her friends," says Connell. "Her friends thought the jewelry was really cool so I decided to start making it."

Connell then decided to sell the jewelry as a way to raise money for the SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance.

"I sell the jewelry at my grandma's shop," says Connell.

Her grandmother, Paula Haas, owns Somewhere In Time Antiques in downtown Cape.

"I sell necklaces and magnets for $3 each, and ornaments and key chains for $4 each," says Connell.

Connell's original goal was to make around $30 selling the dominoes-themed items. Since she began the project in August, Karsyn has sold more than $2,500 in merchandise.

"Karsyn has always been big-hearted and sort of an 'old soul,'" says Andrews. "She has brought so much awareness to animal abuse and what animal rescues are trying to do."

Christen Edmonds (submitted photo)

A life-altering experience

Christen Edmonds, 23

Christen Edmonds, a 23-year-old senior at the University of Mississippi, began her philanthropic business, Bandiez Couture, as a way to fund her second mission trip to Swaziland, Africa.

"Upon returning from my first Heart for Africa mission trip with my family in July 2010, I was sure that it would not be my last trip and that Swaziland and its people would quickly become a large part of my life," says Edmonds. "My first goal was to soon return to the people who had blessed me with such a pure and fresh perspective and a life altering experience. To do this, my mom and I created a headband from the spandex material I used to make hair bows to fund my first trip in 2010. I began to sell these girl's headbands as a way to pay for my return trip (in 2011)."

Edmonds credits her University of Missouri Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority sisters with really helping to get her headband business off the ground.

"As my sorority began sporting my headbands around Mizzou's campus, other sororities became interested, and that led me to doing philanthropic events for other sororities," says Edmonds.

Demand for the decorative spandex headbands continued to grow, and Edmonds began stocking them in many local boutiques around the Midwest.

"I expanded my business to the web and furthered my exposure through college reps and social media. Within a few months, I found myself working with my mom and grandma on the business full time," she says.

Edmonds credits her mom, Daphne, with the motivating her to start the business.

"As a whole, my inspiration for the business came from my mom, the most creative person I know!" says Edmonds. "We do a lot of brainstorming together on ways to expand the product line, and that is my favorite part of the process."

Edmonds' profits from her business are making a big impact on the lives of others.

"As well as supporting sorority philanthropies through a percentage of trunk show sales, our business has been sponsoring three children since the beginning of last year," says Edmonds. "Two of the children are sponsored in Swaziland through the Children's Hope Chest organization, and one child from Kenya through Heart for Africa. In addition, we have raised $600 this past holiday season to help fund a well in a small community in Swaziland."

Edmonds' mom hopes her daughter's work will encourage other young women,

"We are both proud and excited that Christen has taken a path of social entrepreneurship with her business to help the children of Swaziland, Africa. Our hope is that it will inspire other young women to understand that they can impact the world while pursuing their dreams," says Daphne Edmonds.

To learn more about Bandiez Couture, check out www.bandiez.com or the Bandiez Couture facebook page.

Tom Wallgren, left, talks with Sara Stroup about Fountain Life Carepoint in Swaziland, Africa, during MissionFest Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Carepoint assists children with food, school assistance, medical care and discipleship. MissionFest is an annual event where people from multiple churches and denominations come together to share ideas, contribute, participate and pray for local and global missions. (Southeast Missourian file)

A long-term commitment

Sarah Stroup, 18

Sarah Stroup, who is finishing her senior year at Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau, was motivated to help create a home for orphaned children in Africa by a little girl named Nongcebo.

"On my first trip to Swaziland five years ago, I fell in love with a little girl and wanted (to make) a long-term commitment to her and her community," says Stroup. "I researched ways to do that, and my family partnered with Children's HopeChest to start a CarePoint in her community not only to care for her but also over 150 other children in her community."

In December 2012, Fountain of Life CarePoint was launched in Swaziland, Africa.

"Fountain of Life CarePoint is located just outside of Manzini, Swaziland," Stroup says. "Through our partnership between Children's HopeChest, the local Swazi community, and our child sponsors, we are currently caring for 150 children. Our mission is to equip the Fountain of Life kids with the tools to not only survive but to thrive and succeed as future leaders of their beautiful country."

One of the goals of Fountain of Life CarePoint is to connect sponsors with children in need.

"We are seeking child sponsors for the individual children of Fountain of Life," says Stroup. "Sponsors commit to $34 a month and create a personal and long term relationship with their sponsored children through writing letters and even visiting them on our annual mission trips."

Cheryl Mothes works with Stroup on a MissionFest team in Cape Girardeau.

"Sarah is truly the most compassionate, caring, motivated and faith-filled young person I've ever met! She is the youngest person on our MissionFest leadership team, and one of the most active," Mothes says. "She not only volunteers to take on tasks, but she follow through every time. Her vision to bring Fountain of Life CarePoint to our community was incredible and a huge undertaking. She has given us an opportunity to see real need in the orphanage she supports, and to bless these children by sponsoring them."

More information about Fountain of Life CarePoint is available on folcarepoint.com or on their facebook page, Fountain of Life CarePoint.