To my Family and Friends, 

I hope all is well with everyone! As a senior at Cardinal Newman High School, I am required to take on a senior service project, also known as the Community Based Service Learning project (CBSL). These projects require all seniors to extend beyond the limits of volunteerism, and go forth in the community to do something extraordinary. 

     I wanted to go beyond the limits of Santa Rosa and begin my project in Mammoth Lakes, California, in the Eastern Sierras. What I will be doing is working with the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) program, and help anyone with any type of disability learn how to ski. When these participants first begin the program, they go beyond their comfort zones and achieve new confidence levels, just by trying something new. I want to help them turn skiing into a life-long passion, just as I have. I began skiing when I was three years old, and I knew I wanted to carry on my love of skiing into my project.

  During Christmas Break, I traveled to Mammoth for a week to work with DSES. I worked with about eight to ten students, with disabilities ranging from autism and cerebral palsy to scoliosis, etc. It was such a rewarding experience, and I've grown as a person because of it. I've learned that although these children have some sort of disability, they have the sweetest personalities and are not at all judemental of others, even if they themselves are being judged by outsiders. I've met such wonderful families, instructors, and volunteers and I plan on keeping this connections even afer high school. 

        Although I've already traveled to Mammoth, I still have goals to accomplish for my project while in Santa Rosa. I hope to raise $1500+ to donate to the Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra for scholarships given to the participants, and also possibly for new bi-skis (around $600). With your help, whether it may be $5 or higher, I will reach my goal. Anything donated is greatly appreciated, and I wouldn't be able to fulfill my project's goal without your support!!! I will be putting all my efforts into making this project successful, because I will be doing something I love, while also helping others reach their full potential.

Thank you so much for your time and support!

Love, Natalie