Hello, I am Annabelle Williamson and I am a Co-chair for the Region 2 Fundraising/Service Project Committee. I go to Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina. I am 15 years old and a sophmore. Besides being a member of Junior Civitans I am also a member of the school's chamber orchestra, as well as in honors classes. Outside of school I have various hobbies such as playing piano and doing yoga.

I joined Junior Civitans at the very beginning of my freshman year of high school. I was looking for various clubs to join since my middle school never really had any, and I happened to stumble upon this club. I wasn't expecting much out of it, but joining ended up being one of the best decisions I made in a while. Immediately I found such a welcoming group of people, and service projects that made me feel like I was doing something that mattered to someone. I contributed to many different service projects, from supplying food to our local homeless shelter to painting rocks to hide in a park for kids to find. All of it made me feel like I was doing something bigger than myself, and I think that is the most rewarding feeling someone can ask for.

I'm raising money for the Civitan International Research Center, as well as funding a trip for me personally to tour it. This research center particularly focuses on brain development, disorders, and conditions. Part of their research also happens to be on Autism Spectrum Disorder, something I happen to be diagnosed with. Going to this research center would not only give me the opportunity to see the scientific reasons why I have the behaviors I do, but also understand a whole plethora of brain disorders and diseases. It would mean so much to me if I got to go. Thank you so much for any and all donations.