UA Student Receives National Recognition for Career of Volunteering

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama student Allison Kellogg of Madison, Miss., received a national honor when she was named the Point of Light Foundation National Volunteer of the Day on Nov. 13.

Founded in 1990 by former President George Bush, the foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes volunteerism. Since current President George W. Bush took office, the foundation has gained a “national reputation as America’s address for volunteering.”

Dan Whittington, a close friend of the family, nominated her for the award. The nomination was a proposal that her mother, Beth Kellogg of Madison, Miss., was more than happy to support.

“I am very proud of her for the community service work she has done at the University and in the community,” Beth Kellogg said in a letter honoring her daughter. “I know that she will never let anyone know because she is too modest.”

Being humble is what got Allison Kellogg on the road to a career of helping others. At the age of 14, Kellogg was unlike so many other teen-agers around her. While her peers spent their leisure time talking about dating, the prom, and college, she was finding her gift to give.

Her discovery was made when she began to take ballet classes. As her lessons progressed along with her passion to dance, so did Kellogg’s longing to pass what she was learning on to someone else. Each day she watched as her classmates took the activity for granted. The luxury of having ballet class was not one that Kellogg could take advantage of alone.

“I realized how blessed I am. I guess I begin to see ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’ ”

During her freshman year in high school, the honor student took her ballet teachings to where she knew it would do the most good. For the next year, Kellogg spent her afternoon giving free lessons to underprivileged children near her hometown of Madison, Miss.

It was the teen’s goal to donate her time and knowledge to those less fortunate. Kellogg never expected a reward in return.

Her day of reckoning came when a 5-year-old named Kyri joined her after school class. For the remainder of her high school career, Kellogg relinquished most activities teens are privileged to and dedicated her time to the little girl and her class.

The program grew from a couple in the beginning to a handful of about seven students in the following year. As the dance students came and went, little Kyri remained a constant in Kellogg’s life. Their teacher-student relationship quickly transformed into a big sister, little sister bond.

“She just stood out,” Kellogg said of her young friend. “I saw potential in little Kyri and I wanted her to have the teachers I had.”

There was a problem.

Although Kyri had a gift to enchant on-lookers with simple ballet movement, the talent alone was hardly enough to pay for the dance lessons she would need to support her newly found love.

Kellogg, now a senior preparing to leave Madison for The University of Alabama, knew that once she left there would be no one else to give the lessons. Determined to keep Kyri and the other children’s’ lessons going, she found corporate sponsors who funded scholarships for the students.

Kellogg left home soon after, and took her volunteerism or what she casually calls a trait, with her.

“Both of my parents volunteer,” she said. “They always have. And I have a passion to work with children.”

With the help of friends and various sponsors in Madison, the college freshman was able to start an after school program “Star Kids” which teaches children how to use their talents to help others. Star Kids has also been presented to the Boys and Girls Club, United Way Youth in Action programs, the Mississippi Volunteer Commissions’ annual conference, and the JC Penney after school programs.

Adding to her list of countless endeavors is the production of a video and coloring book about beginning dance, sponsored by Mississippi Valley Gas Corp. and WAPT-TV.

A senior at the University, Kellogg wrote and was awarded the Doublemint Aces For Campus Excellence Program grant to fund more lessons for children in the fall.

This was a dream come true for the outgoing senior.

“I stopped and thanked God,” she said. “Because I realized then that I was working for him and everyone else.”

Her awards did not stop there. Along with the Point of Light Volunteer Award where she received a certificate and a letter of recognition from the President, Kellogg was also named director of the first mayor’s youth council in her hometown.

Kellogg said her awards only motivate her to do more. After graduation, she plans to study dance in New York. Until then, she will continue to keep her old friend Kyri company.

For more information about the Point of Light Foundation, visit www.pointoflight.org.