Mason Park, a sixth grader at West Millbrook Middle School, is a volunteer youth advocate who promotes philanthropy and charitable fundraising on behalf of a variety of organizations. His volunteer community service activities involve raising awareness and funds on behalf of a variety of charitable organizations concerning health related diseases affecting thousands locally and millions nationally through education and advocacy programs. Mason has generated over $48,000 for charity through his tremendous volunteer efforts over the past five years and his fundraising beneficiaries have been the American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Mason embarked on his journey for a cure when he was just six years old through a school program to help promote diabetes awareness. "It was a great feeling to know that even at such a young age I could be involved and have such an impact on others," he remembered. His passion for science and desire to make a difference in the lives of others has enabled him to stay involved year after year. "I have always wanted to be a scientist so I decided to work directly with a variety of charitable organizations to help fund research until I am old enough to help find cures," he said. Over the past five years of volunteer service Mason has served as Walk Ambassador, Recruitment Leader, Team Captain, Team Walker, Cub Scout Flag Ceremony Leader, National Anthem Singer, Guest Speaker, Mentor, and Volunteer Youth Advocate on behalf of a variety of charitable organizations. Mason hopes to impact others through his volunteer efforts by means of motivation and inspiration. "I want to show others that if one person can accomplish this much, imagine what the whole world can do together."

By participating in these volunteer activities, Mason is able to raise funds and awareness to help support the mission of each organization in which he serves to advance research and improve the quality of life of patients and their families affected by diseases. "Diseases are out there...we just have to help those that have them-control them, and keep raising money so scientist can find a cure to stop them!" he said. Now he engages in several fundraising campaigns a year, participating as a team member in nationally sponsored events, and also pursuing his own fundraising activities through many creative efforts to help bring in those research dollars, such as setting up collection jars, canvassing for donations, making and selling bracelets and baked goods, playing music, holding yard sales, and much more. In the process, Mason has given speeches to audiences of up to 3,000 people, appeared in TV and radio public service announcements, led flag ceremonies and sang the national anthem, and sent hundreds of letters and e-mail notes to potential sponsors. His selfless acts of kindness don't stop there--one year, he even asked Santa Claus to redirect his gifts to other children in need and make a donation to his campaign instead and asked birthday party guests to make a donation to his cause instead of bringing him gifts. "It's the greatest feeling in the world knowing you're a part of someone else's success, and that's what it's all about...people helping people," said Mason. If everyone would take the time to help change someone's life, the world would be a much better place filled with happiness and hope."

Mason's current campaign efforts involve training to run a half marathon and raising funds on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in an effort to help fight blood cancers. If you would like to join him in this worthwhile endeavor you can help by making a donation to his current fundraising goal of $10,000 online at Journey for a Cure, or mail donations to: The Park Family, C/O Mason Park, 12211 Norwood Road, Raleigh, NC 27613. Mason is running in honor of all those affected and will be wearing their names on his race shirt to remind him of the challenges they face daily. If you would like Mason to run "In Dedication" or "In Memory Of" someone you know and love affected by cancer, he will do so with honor and pride.

Mason's outstanding acts of volunteerism have earned him an honor bestowed upon him of State Honoree- one of two North Carolina's Top Youth Volunteers selected in the 12th Annual National Awards Program on February 13, 2007. As a State Honoree, Mason will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip in early May to Washington, DC where he will join the top two honorees -one middle level and one high school youth-from each of the fifty states and the District of Columbia for several days of national recognition events. In addition, ten of them will be named National Honorees.

You can view details of the Prudential Spirit Of Community Awards and all it's 2007 Recipients including our WMMS Honoree, Mason Park at: www.prudential.com/spirit

If that's not enough, this WMMS sixth-grader got his own day in the Capital City Charles Meeker, the mayor of the City of Raleigh, proclaimed Tuesday March 20, 2007 "Mason Park Day" honoring Mason at the city council meeting at City Hall in the Council Chambers for his incredible volunteer efforts. View the recognition event video.

Mason also participated in a live radio interview on Monday, February 26, 2007 on the morning show of WPTF News-Talk AM680 at 8:40 am to discuss his volunteer work and current campaign with hopes of gaining additional sponsorship support. He was also featured on the cover of the Triangle Business Journal on February 23, 2007. A portion of the story can be accessed through their online site here.

(Many thanks to Mason's mother, Lisa Park, for providing these photos and for this information.)

Mason with Triangle Business Journal Staff