Meet December “Do the Right Thing” winner: Lauren Schwall
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – December Do the Right Thing winner Lauren Schwall may have been a little overwhelmed when she first came to our studios. But when we asked her how she felt about being our winner she said, "I’m so proud."
So we said, "I gotta say Mom’s probably the proud one, right?"
Mom should be proud because Lauren decided to use her birthday as a way to help others.
Schwall explained, "Instead of getting presents for my 10th birthday, I asked for donations to help this K9 dog, Missy, get a bullet-proof and stab-proof K9 vest."
She reached out to the non-profit organization inVEST in K-9. Deputy Zach Simpson of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office explained why K9 vests are needed. He said, "They’re very important because the dogs go into extremely dangerous situations and it’s just as important for them to be as protected as well as us."
But now she’s being recognized for that helpful spirit. Our Do the Right Thing nomination and win came after the Walker County Sheriff’s Office held a party to honor Lauren’s big donation, where she got to meet Missy’s handler, Deputy Simpson.
He added, "I think it’s awesome. It’s heart-warming you know to think of a 10-year-old being that selfless and wanting to give everything from her birthday to a cause like this, I think it’s great."
So now Deputy Simpson and K9 Missy should have more peace of mind during dangerous situations.
Deputy Simpson said, "She’s a good dog. She’s really high-strung, she’s got a lot of personality, a lot of energy. She’s really young, so sometimes we’re still battling to get her to focus her energies sometimes, but overall she’s doing really well."
Mom Regina says it was all Lauren’s idea. Lauren explained, "I’ve never wanted a lot of things, and I’ve always liked being helpful to other people."
Added with the money she raised for her birthday, the Do the Right Thing prize money means Lauren reached her goal. She said, "$1,000 and I already have 600, so plus 500 is a thousand, one hundred so that’s 100 more than I need!"
So we said, "I gotta say Mom’s probably the proud one, right?"
Mom should be proud because Lauren decided to use her birthday as a way to help others.
Schwall explained, "Instead of getting presents for my 10th birthday, I asked for donations to help this K9 dog, Missy, get a bullet-proof and stab-proof K9 vest."
She reached out to the non-profit organization inVEST in K-9. Deputy Zach Simpson of the Walker County Sheriff’s Office explained why K9 vests are needed. He said, "They’re very important because the dogs go into extremely dangerous situations and it’s just as important for them to be as protected as well as us."
But now she’s being recognized for that helpful spirit. Our Do the Right Thing nomination and win came after the Walker County Sheriff’s Office held a party to honor Lauren’s big donation, where she got to meet Missy’s handler, Deputy Simpson.
He added, "I think it’s awesome. It’s heart-warming you know to think of a 10-year-old being that selfless and wanting to give everything from her birthday to a cause like this, I think it’s great."
So now Deputy Simpson and K9 Missy should have more peace of mind during dangerous situations.
Deputy Simpson said, "She’s a good dog. She’s really high-strung, she’s got a lot of personality, a lot of energy. She’s really young, so sometimes we’re still battling to get her to focus her energies sometimes, but overall she’s doing really well."
Mom Regina says it was all Lauren’s idea. Lauren explained, "I’ve never wanted a lot of things, and I’ve always liked being helpful to other people."
Added with the money she raised for her birthday, the Do the Right Thing prize money means Lauren reached her goal. She said, "$1,000 and I already have 600, so plus 500 is a thousand, one hundred so that’s 100 more than I need!"
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