Paying It Forward

Paying It Forward

The AVRF believes that paying it forward is a great way to show support to others. In 2008 the board of directors unanimously voted to move forward with this new program. Since then, we have gifted items to other charities each calendar year. We would like to thank our children, their parents and our members for taking part in this program. Wishing the best for each and every one of us!

Isabella T California

An achievement I am most proud of is being a part of the AVRF. The AVRF is a nonprofit organization that raises money for Vitiligo research and raises awareness for the disorder. Vitiligo is a disorder that causes a person to lose pigment in certain patches of skin, resulting in white spots all over the body.

I was diagnosed with Vitiligo when I was three. Vitiligo doesn’t hurt, and sometimes I forget it’s even there. The only downside to Vitiligo is that almost all kids with Vitiligo, myself included, get bullied and stared at because they’re different. The AVRF, or American Vitiligo Research Foundation, provides support and love for these kids.

When I first met with the AVRF I didn’t know what to expect. I was welcomed into this family and I am very grateful for that. The AVRF not only raises money for itself, but has a pay it forward system where every year we raise money for other charities in our community because it is important to understand that other people need help and when we can help them, we should. Over the past four years, I have raised awareness for Vitiligo, I have raised money for research, and most importantly I have made other kids like me feel accepted. This is an achievement because it takes a lot to overcome adversity and come together to love and support not only yourself, but other people. When I look back and see the people I’ve helped, the progress I have made, and how happy everyone involved with the AVRF is, I feel accomplished.

From this experience I have learned that small actions can make big differences, that accepting each other’s differences makes us stronger, and that sometimes all you really need is love and support from your friends, but the most important lesson I learned is that I am who I am and I am proud of that.