Kennedy Jet Kulish, Age 10
Amazing Fund Raiser and Founder, Kisses for Kaeden

 
Amazing Fund Raiser and Founder, Kisses for Kaeden
Kennedy Jet Kulish, age 10, with President Bush

When her baby brother Kaeden had three open heart surgeries before his 1st birthday, six year-old Kennedy was very moved. She asked her mom and dad to have a special first birthday party for him, where everyone could bring donations instead of presents.

Kennedy asked the stores in her community to help with food, drinks and the venue. She sent out handmade invitations for the event and managed to collect $2,000. All the money was donated to Penn State Children's Hospital to help other children who needed treatment.

“It was a lot of work getting everything ready for Kaeden's birthday party but it was so cool when I gave the money we raised to help others like him” says Kennedy.

She was so encouraged by the success of the event that she started a non profit called Kisses for Kaeden. Since then she, along with her Kisses helpers aged 7 – 14, have had several fund raisers like lemonade stands, bake sales and Chinese auctions along with monthly teddy bear collections.

“Each time we do this we have so much fun and make new friends. Its so cool. I want to do this because I can.” she asserts.

She has collected more than $52,000 for American Heart Association, Children's Miracle Network and Make a Wish Foundation.

“I feel blessed to have my baby brother with me, to be his big sister and to play with him everyday but I know that some families aren't so blessed. The three organizations that I help work with the families of these children to get the medical equipment they need and to pay for the bills when they don't have enough insurance,” she explains.

In October, 2007, Kennedy got to personally meet President Bush and she received the President's Gold Volunteer Service Award from him!

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Kennedy and her Kisses for Kaeden friends.

Amazing Kennedy's dedication to community service has led her to receive not one, but three Presidential Gold Service awards!  She has over 2100 documented service hours between the Presidential Council, Points of Light Foundation and United Way Organization. She also received the title of Pre-Teen of Pennsylvania Jr. 2006-07. She paged for State Senator Noah Wenger all day at the Pennsylvania State Capitol at age 8, and again at age 10.

In addition to her amazing record of community service and fund raising, Kennedy is a well-rounded student who participates in a variety of other activities.  She is a Honor roll student and has been a Girl Scout for 5 years. She loves tap, jazz, ballet and hip hop dance. She also plays the violin in her school orchestra and is a member of the chorus.

An avid athlete, Kennedy is a football cheerleader and competes in cheer competitions both in Pennsylvania and out-of-state.  She is also a member of her school girls' basketball fall team, as well as a catcher on the girls fast pitch softball team (she was even invited to throw the first ball at the Lancaster Barnstormers opening game, and had the honor of serving as the Harlem Globetrotters ball girl!!!)

Kennedy is the only 4th grade student in her school so far to have received the Presidential GOLD fitness award

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