Skip a Latte & Make a Child Smile
We love to help non-profits that are close to our hearts, like Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Hope Chest and Friends of the Mustang Animal Shelter. We even spend some time donating our talent to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. None of that is for a pat on the back, but we believe it's a necessary part of any business to give back to the community.
What is really striking and cause of applause, is when a previous client gets involved in giving early in their lives, especially with children. Today's post is about that unique person pushing themselves to be better and using their talents to help others. That person is Daylan Whittle.
Daylan on the set of "Bloom" during filming with Diane Kern (Wintershine Productions) in Kingfisher, OK.
I first met her when she was 12 years old on the set of Bloom, a film by Diane Kern. My friend Brian Davis and I were fortunate in shooting the behind the scenes stills, as well as headshots of the actors. We stayed in touch over the years until Daylan was a senior at Yukon High School and wanted me to shoot her last year in school. We scheduled four sessions and created some amazing work that I still use today for presentations and workshops.
Daylan is now a student at Oklahoma University in Norman, studying Public Relations, active member of the equestrian team and still finds time to help children touched by a parent's cancer. The main focus is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for those children to have fun and rediscover their childhood.
The story of Camp Kesem is a unique one and the only national organization focused on helping those children in this difficult family situation. I imagine it also gives young adults a valuable grounding of the important aspects of family, love and support.
This will be Daylan's second year to volunteer at Camp Kesem, completely ran by college students. Check out the website for the camp and please help support Daylan's efforts to help others through donations on the site. She is looking to raise $500 this year and every dollar helps. Don't be shy, skip a latte and help a child smile.
Daylan with Lenny during her high school Senior Fashion Session.
