National Honoree

Ashlee Smith, 13, of Sparks, Nev., a member of the Northern Nevada Chapter of the American Red Cross in Reno and a seventh-grader at Lou Mendive Middle School, founded a nonprofit organization that has collected and distributed more than 175,000 toys over the past five years for child victims of house fires and natural disasters. When Ashlee was 5, her family's home burned down. Everything they owned was destroyed, including Ashlee's special toy -- a stuffed horse. A few years later, her father, a firefighter, was battling a large blaze in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. "He sent us pictures of destroyed houses and all included burned toys in the yards," said Ashlee. "I knew right away how the kids were feeling, and I knew I had to help." That same day, Ashlee began calling television and radio stations, newspapers and local businesses to ask for help. Toy donations came flooding in. She spent her entire summer vacation organizing toys, posting flyers and appealing for more donations. With additional support from toy companies, Ashlee was able to fill a whole semi-truck trailer with toys, which she delivered to the children affected by the South Lake Tahoe fire. Since that initial fire, Ashlee's organization, "Ashlee's Toy Closet," has continued its quest to make sure that no child is left without the comfort of a toy. Last year, she provided toys for children devastated by the tornado in Joplin, Mo. Ashlee has also begun supplying Christmas and birthday presents for local needy children who otherwise would go without. "Seeing the smiles on children's faces and knowing that I am helping them to be happy again is awesome," said Ashlee.