In 2005, Rachel O’ Neill was working full-time as an assistant for an engineering firm. While active and warm-hearted, she had never imagined doing any global volunteering. But after a trip to Malawi in Africa for her fiftieth birthday, she was impressed by the work done by the local girls to support their families. “I wanted a way to honor them,” she says.

An idea hit her one day and she persuaded her friends to make dresses with her and donated them to the girls in Malawi. Rachel hoped that the dresses donated and sent to the girls would build up their confidence and happiness. After all, all the girls are joyful the moment they receive the dresses and even happier while wearing them. Rachel and her friends achieved their goal in the first year. As word spread, donations poured in. In 2008, without previous experience, she started a nonprofit called Little Dresses for Africa, with a mission of getting simple homemade dresses to girls in poor communities. To date, more than 10 million dresses have been donated to the girls in 97 countries, and Africa remains a focus.

Local communities offer to network with the nonprofit to run a distribution(分配)center to distribute these donated dresses. It attracts a number of volunteers, many of whom have ever received the dresses. They make all the dresses themselves, sort out dresses and box dresses for shipments to other countries. Funds are also received to cover transportation costs.

“With a large population of girls under age 14 in Malawi,” Rachel says, “we are nowhere close to meeting all needs. We only ask people to use material of high quality and different colors,” Generous donations have allowed Little Dresses for Africa to address other needs, including building more than 85 wells and two primary schools. “I couldn’t have done any of this on my own, ” Rachel says. “Everyone’s contribution and generosity make a difference.”

We appreciate your interest in giving animals a hand! While helping others, volunteering gives you a way to learn, have fun and give back to your community. There are many ways to care for the animals at PAWS.

Youth Work Party

If you are ten years or older, you can join the Youth Work Party Team with a parent to work on different projects around PAWS in Lynnwood, WA. For example, you can build boxes for frightened, injured wildlife to hide in. Ask your parent to sign up to join a work party. If you are eighteen years or older, you can join the Youth Work Party Team independently.

PAWS walk

PAWS walk is our biggest fundraising event of the year, held at the end of the summer to raise money to care for the animals. You can collect money with the help of your family, friends and school, and then walk in the event.

Cookie Sale

Selling homemade dog cookies is a wonderful way to help the animals. PAWS can provide brochures to give out when you sell the cookies prepared by you and your parents, so people can learn about PAWS at the same time. You can find homemade dog cookie cooking instructions on the Internet or by checking out cookbooks for dogs at the library.

Movie Night

Invite friends, family, neighbors and classmates to watch your favorite animal movie, like Babe or Charlotte's Web. Ask them to bring an “entrance fee” of donations or supplies for the animals.

Thanks again for your interest in PAWS and helping animals. Share your ideas with your parents and invite a few friends to join you in helping make a difference for animals. If you have any questions, call 425-787-2500-261.