Hey everyone its one of your Utalk Co-Hosts and the current reigning Ms. California American Diamonds Kati here. One of the things I’m passionate about is making a difference or going M.A.D. as we like to say on Utalk. We believe that being a difference maker is important that’s why we created our feature called “R U MAD” where we feature young adults who are making a difference in their communities.

There are so many ways you can make a difference in your home, school, community and the world. Sometimes when people talk about making a difference we think the only way to have a huge impact is building a house or school but it’s also the small things that we can do everyday that can have a huge impact on others.

Like: picking up trash you see on the ground, holding the door open for someone, smiling and asking someone about their day. You can help an elderly neighbor by doing housework or yard work for them. Send a text to someone you haven’t talked to in a while, leave a note for a loved one saying how much you appreciate them. There is no formula or requirements that need to be followed to make a difference. Get creative with it like Amy who wrote “You’re Beautiful” on post it notes and put one on every locker at her school. We’re totally into what Amy did which is why we featured her on “R U Mad”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are a lot of celebrities and organizations who go MAD and put on charity events and even regular people like you and I who just want to make a difference. I have gone to several of these and volunteered from walks, to food drives to charity benefit shows to dances, community clean up days and clothing drives. I believe strongly in volunteering and donating my time for good causes. One of the things I do weekly is volunteer at a food bank near me. I assemble bags and boxes of food, hand out food and have conversations with the people who come through there. Some of my favorite events I’ve volunteered at are the Special Olympics, community clean up days and awareness walks.

But my favorite event every year is Tim Tebow’s Night To Shine which is a prom for people with disabilities. It’s held every February around Valentines Day all over the world.

This was my third year going and I have a great time. You get to interact with so many amazing people who have all forms of disabilities.

Throughout the event participants get to take a limo ride, have dinner and dessert, get to have their makeup and hair done and the guys get to have their shoes shined. They get to walk the red carpet and take photos at the different photo booths, there is dancing and karaoke and at the end of the night all the attendees get crowned king and queen of the prom. It’s such a fun night and a great way to volunteer and make a difference in someone’s life.

     

I’m not the only member of the Utalk Crew who likes to go MAD. Steve and Larissa have also been involved with charity events and are out in their communities making a difference. Steve went to a community clean up day a while ago and the NAMI walk to raise awareness for mental illness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also has a habit of picking up trash when he goes on walks. Larissa is involved in numerous things to help her community.

We want to hear what you are doing to make a difference. You can email us at utalkradio@gmail.com. Leave us a comment or connect with us on our social media @utalkradio. If you have a friend who is doing something great to help others let us know about them as well.  Now go be M.A.D.!