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5 Things to Know About
Gabriella Raia
LEADERSHIP COMES NATURALLY TO THIS 16-YEAR-OLD VOLUNTEER
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2017 | (201) FAMILY
work with the Salvation Army,
preparing and delivering meals.
She recalls a memorable moment
when one of the recipients who
worked in a flower store pulled a
rose from a bouquet, smiled and
handed it to her. “He gave me the
rose,” she says, “and it was at that
moment that I realized I was really
helping people. The face-to-face
interaction and his one small act of
at
kindness reinforced the concept that
one person can make a difference.”
She is a board
member on a
resource site.
Re
Recently, Raia became a
bo
board member for Être
LL
LLC, a new resource site
wh
ools
where girls can find the tools
th
they need for teen-oriented
ne
news sites, pep talks from
fema
female collegiate athletes, and
wa
ways to connect with mentors
or volunteer opportunities.
Raia is a rising track
star. Now in her junior
year at Immaculate
Heart Academy, she was being recruit-
ed by colleges in her sophomore year.
Her plans for the future include finish-
ing high school in good academic stand-
ing and continuing to volunteer. She
received the Presidential Award for
Service and the “Spirit of Service”
award (given by the school) last year,
and would like to repeat that this year.
She says, “I want to go to a college
where I will be able to continue
to volunteer and give back to my
community, wherever that may be.” ●
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5
U
pper Saddle River resi-
dent Gabriella Raia is an
avid volunteer, who
began her community
service in fifth grade
with Table To Table, a
food rescue program, and has contin-
ued her dedication for giving back.
Here are 5 things to know about her:
Raia raised thousands for the
nonprofit during her first year.
She credits the influence of her
mother and aunt, who are involved
with Table