9 Yrs Old and Already Raising Money!!
Top: Founder Chris Kaag, Ceren’s mother Sadan, Chris’ wife Gretchen Kaag and Ceren
It is a great time for me when I see the enthusiasm and drive to do things for others and it is even more rewarding when you see those traits in someone who is young. I know Ceren’s mother and father through our local Penn State branch and have corresponded with them on many occasions, even briefly training them in my Corps Fitness class. I received an email one day letting me know that their daughter Ceren had seen me in “Fight:the movie”, along with her teacher Kristy Kowal, a silver medalist Olympic swimmer, and wanted to do a fundraiser for the IM ABLE Foundation. When I found out how old Ceren I was amazed that a 9 year old had a desire to do something like this but was even more amazed when we met for the first time and she handed me a check for $430!!! She recorded her playing a piano to create a holiday CD and sold them in an effort to raise money for IM ABLE. We made sure she knew what we did and from the pictures you can see we got her on a handcycle, that someone her age would ride and explained to her how her money would be used to possibly help someone ride a bike for the first time.
We thank Ceren and her efforts and thank her parents for raising such a genuinely great kid!
