Women Matter April-May 2014 | Page 18

Inspiration at 18! By Mahri Carmichael Lauren Mitchell is an 18 year old aspiring actress. With a full work load at college as well as a normal teenage social life, Lauren is involved with a great charity- Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is an organisation that sends shoeboxes filled with goodies, wrapped in Christmas paper to the less fortunate children of the world. Her involvement began after her mother joined the organisation as the area co -ordinator for Glasgow in 2011. Her mother felt so passionate about the cause that she convinced Lauren to come along and visit the warehouse – where the magic happened! When Lauren saw all the boxes filled with toiletries and basic essentials she caught the bug! She just couldn’t refuse helping such a brilliant cause. Whilst the shoeboxes only contain things we take for granted like toothbrushes and hats and scarfs, even a yo-yo, they are luxuries for these children. They bring so much happiness to a child who has never received such things. After three years her and her family are still heavily involved. Lauren has even arranged fundraisers in order to prepare more shoeboxes and spreading more joy into the hearts of children. Her father has even joined in the cause to help out in the warehouse. At 18 she is bringing happiness to so many children. More than what some 18 year olds do.