Reeds Spring Teen Who Helps Community Now Needs Help:

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Sophia "Sophie" Greenwalt

The community that benefits from a teenager who has helped raise money for those in need in the past is now rallying to help her.

For the past two years, Sophia "Sophie" Greenwalt, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia, has helped make the Thanksgiving holiday a little brighter for people in her community by securing funds to help Shirley West feed people who can't afford a to put a traditional holiday meal on the table, or those who would be alone on the holiday in Reeds Spring.

She was recently honored by the American Red Cross with their Everyday Hero Award for her charitable activities.

Congressman Billy Long recently recognized the teen for her efforts. "While in sixth grade, Sophie came up with a plan to help others. After consulting with her mother, Nettie Greenwalt, teachers and school district administrators, she received approval to create the Helping Hats program for students in the Reeds Spring school district. The Helping Hats program grants students the privilege to wear hats to school once a month for a one-dollar fee. The fees collected from the Helping Hats program are distributed to local charities monthly. Currently, the program has collected over $13,000 for local charitable organizations."

The Helping Hats program raised over $8,000 to donate to the Joplin school district to help with recovery and rebuilding after am EF5 tornado ripped through Joplin on May 22, 2011.

A benefit for Greenwalt, now an eighth grader at Reeds Spring Middle School, was held Sunday (04-21-13) at Reeds Spring Intermediate School.

Another fundraiser for Greenwalt, who has also been honored for her outstanding charitable activities by the Missouri House of Representatives and the Reeds Spring Board of Education, is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th as the Reeds Spring High School volleyball team will host a co-ed volleyball tournament benefiting the Greenwalt family.

For more information on the tournament contact coach Becky Lipasek at 417-272-8250 or rlipasek@wolves.k12.mo.us.