Top 11 Kids Who Made A Difference In 2011 (SLIDESHOW)

As world leaders struggled in 2011 to save a famine-struck Africa, end the global water crisis and continue to research cures for devastating cancers, a host of young activists also stepped up. As young as 7, these young people who want to make a difference offered their insight, experience and commitment to resolving these plaguing issues. Meet 11 such budding activists who may just inspire you to help make this world a better place.

SLIDESHOW:

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• Rachel Beckwith

  After Rachel Beckwith died from injuries sustained in a car crash near her Bellevue, Wash., home in July, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/02/in-death-rachel-beckwith-_n_916501.html" target="_hplink">news of the 9-year-old's birthday wish to raise $300 to build wells for those in need went viral.</a> Inspired donors have helped fulfill -- and surpass -- her mission by giving more than $1 million to <a href="http://www.charitywater.org/" target="_hplink">charity:water.</a> Rachel's mom will head to Africa next year with the nonprofit to see -- firsthand -- how her deceased daughter is continuing to save lives.

• Jeff Hanson

  Though an optic nerve tumor nearly blinded Jeff Hanson, the 17-year-old hasn't let the condition interfere with his creativity or determination to help others, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/19/jeffhanson/index.html" target="_hplink">CNN reports.</a> Jeff started painting and crafting note cards while undergoing radiation treatment, and in the five years since his diagnosis, Jeff has donated more than $350,000 from the sale of his work to more than 50 children's health charities. To donate to Jeff's cause or purchase one of his paintings, click <a href="http://www.jeffreyowenhanson.com/index.html" target="_hplink">here.</a>

• Evan Moss

  <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/18/huffpost-greatest-person-evan-moss-epilepsy_n_901987.html" target="_hplink">Seven-year-old Evan Moss</a> suffers from three to four seizures monthly, a relieving decrease from the near 400 he endured just a few years ago. To guarantee his safety, Evan's parents knew he needed a service dog, but they couldn't afford the $13,000 expense. So, Evan wrote the book <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3626033" target="_hplink">"My Seizure Dog," </a> to help raise money and also offer window into the world of a child suffering from epilepsy.

• Rachel Wheeler

  After raising $175,000 to help build 27 concrete homes in Haiti, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/14/rachel-wheeler-food-for-poor_n_1093732.html" target="_hplink">Rachel Wheeler, 12, decided to collect funds to replace a school that was destroyed in the 7.2 magnitude 2010 earthquake.</a> "I want to build a school because they need education to make their lives better so they can learn and teach their own children how to have a better life," <a href="http://www.foodforthepoor.org/newsroom/news/rachel-needs-your-help-08-10-11.html" target="_hplink">Rachel told Food For The Poor</a>, the nonprofit she's partnered with. To donate to Rachel's mission, click <a href="http://support.foodforthepoor.org/site/TR?pg=fund&fr_id=2091&pxfid=4112" target="_hplink">here.</a>

• Sam Maden

  To honor his Uncle Chris, a staunch supporter of LGBTQ causes, Sam Maden, 12, was determined to get the Boston Red Sox to produce an "It Gets Better" video, <a href="http://news.change.org/stories/red-sox-announce-it-gets-better-video-against-anti-gay-bullying-joining-giants-and-cubs" target="_hplink">Change.org reported</a>. Sam got 9,000 people to sign his<a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/boston-red-sox-please-make-an-it-gets-better-video" target="_hplink"> gay rights petition</a> and the Red Sox became the third professional sports team -- in one week -- to get involved in the anti-bullying video campaign. <strong>WATCH:</strong> Sam get the honor of announcing "Play ball!" at a Red Sox game.

• Taylor and Kennedy Everson

  After spending the summer in Kenya, Montclair twins Taylor and Kennedy Everson decided to dedicate their ninth birthdays to raising money to adopt a village in Africa. The budding activists collected $2,650 for <a href="http://www.freethechildren.com/" target="_hplink">Free the Children</a>, the most that the organization has ever received from a children's birthday party, <a href="http://kids.baristanet.com/2011/11/montclair-girls-birthday-wish-to-raise-money-for-africa/#more-22957" target="_hplink">Baristanet reports.</a> The nonprofit helps areas in need by improving schools, health clinics and building water facilities.

• Aria Novak

  To combat the schoolyard taunts, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/st-charles-students-time-_n_1079965.html" target="_hplink">Aria Novak started the "Time for Kind Day," to raise bullying awareness at her Illinois elementary school.</a> She now plans to expand her anti-bullying strategies to other school districts and has even contacted Michelle Obama for help in spreading the word.

• Jill McKigney

  To earn her Girl Scout Gold Award, Jillian McKigney, 17, <a href="http://pleasantville.patch.com/articles/lifting-spirits-one-toothbrush-at-a-time" target="_hplink">raised enough money to put together 500 toiletry kits for parents with children suffering from cancer.</a> The Ursuline School senior realized that these dutiful parents are often unable -- or unwilling -- to leave the hospital to fetch a toothbrush, soap, or lotion, to take care of their basic needs.

• Peter Larson

  Peter Larson, 17, is celebrating his 12th straight year of sleeping in a cardboard box -- from November 12 through December 31 -- to raise awareness for the homeless population in his hometown of Plymouth, Minn. The teen has collected $400,000 for the homeless since he was six, <a href="https://iocp.ejoinme.org/?tabid=315840&joinme=10077" target="_hplink">he writes on his website</a>. This time around, Peter hopes to raise $100,000, enough money to house 50 families for an entire year. To support Peter's "Sleep Out," <a href="https://iocp.ejoinme.org/?tabid=315840&joinme=10077" target="_hplink">click here</a>.

• McClain Hermes

  McClain Hermes' dad bet that if she could collect 400 pairs of shoes to donate to charity, he would shave his head, <a href="http://dacula.patch.com/articles/donate-a-pair-of-shoes-for-the-soul" target="_hplink">Dacula Patch reported</a>. The 10-year-old completed the mission and took it one step further. McClain started her own foundation, "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/ShoesForTheSouls?sk=wall&filter=2" target="_hplink">Shoes for Souls</a>," in 2009 and has donated thousands of pairs of shoes to the <a href="http://www.atlantamission.org/" target="_hplink">Atlanta Mission Homeless Shelter.</a>

• Taylor Wilson

  When he was just 14, Taylor Wilson, became the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/01/living/teen-nuclear-scientist/index.html" target="_hplink">according to CNN.</a> The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Energy have encouraged him to apply a research grant and job offers have come in from defense contractors. Taylor has since built a liquid-based radiation detector, which he believes can play a critical role in the fight against terrorism. Once he secures a patent, Taylor hopes to bring his detector to Iran, North Korea, and other high-risk countries.

For more on the best of 2011, visit bestof2011.aol.com.

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Comments

[JimBibSherWood]

09:18 AM on 01/24/2012

mane dese kid is amaixjgh i really meeda do so ething like dies

[poeticjustice4all]

02:37 PM on 12/28/2011

This absurd list comes out of an extremely narrow perspective and is blatantly bias. If it weren't so ridiculous I'd say it was an outrage.

[kimanderson]

10:22 AM on 12/11/2011

These children are amazing!! While it is extrmely valiant that Jillian wants to give to children with cancer - most of the products she is giving most likelyhave known and suspecte human carcinogens and carcingoemin contaminats. Please speakw ith another brave kid, who created a persnal care company with no harmful chemcials for humans and the environent out of a dream to spread the mesage and change the status quo. Ava Anderson is now 17, has 1,300 non toxic consultants in 48 states sharing this infomration in fmily rooms across the country. She oculd use your help! www.AvaAndersonNonToxic.com and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ava-Anderson-Non-Toxic/130519185981

[T Pol]

10:25 PM on 01/06/2012

The care kits are for the cancer-stricken children's PARENTS, not the children, but it's great that you've made that connection, and perhaps Jill and Ava could hook up. Jill identified a need and filled it; Ava's work could improve the products filling that need.

[sdel722902]

12:56 PM on 12/10/2011

At 14 he made a nuclear fusion reactor? Smart not showing his picture. Taylor if your reading this here is your next project can you make our cars run on anything but gas?

[cree1997]

10:51 AM on 12/10/2011

So Taylor wants to help Iran and N.Korea to destroy more people, did I miss something?

[Janet Gallagher Warren]

10:26 AM on 12/09/2011

Thanks to the Huffington Post for the great story. People can be soooo beautiful. Thank you for reminding us how basically good we can be.

[TheEmptyMonty]

10:46 PM on 12/08/2011

Rachel Beckwith's story makes me so, so sad, but so, so happy at the same time.

It's too much.

[LostnmissingInc]

09:25 PM on 12/08/2011

Awesome!!!

[ConservativeAlways]

05:54 PM on 12/08/2011

Too bad Obama doesn't want to extend the payroll tax for these kids to have a future because of environmental extremist.

[Janet Gallagher Warren]

10:28 AM on 12/09/2011

What planet are you on that you would use this beautiful story to perpetuate your lies?

[ConservativeAlways]

11:36 AM on 12/09/2011

What planet are you on that you would use this beautiful story to continue to spew and defend Obama's lies and propaganda?

[madcityy]

03:43 PM on 12/08/2011

VERYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY NICE,,,,,,THERE IS HOPE

[robbo1400]

01:32 PM on 12/08/2011

We should NEVER refer to overpaid athletes as Heroes........these kids, fighting for their own lives and doing such unselfish things before they die.....THEY are Heroes. And their parents should be proud.

[klpatrick4]

12:14 PM on 12/08/2011

You can tell the true worth of a person when you feel a sense of loss at their passing, and you've never even met them. Rachel was that kind of person. Humanity has lost someone truly special.

[Kelli Laine Lewis]

01:18 PM on 12/08/2011

such a beautiful comment! it made me cry because it's so true. Rest in sweet peace Rachel, my Kelli & all the extra special children who make a difference long after leaving this earth. xo Pam, Kelli's mom

[klpatrick4]

01:48 PM on 12/08/2011

I am so sorry for your loss. We have two beautiful daughters of our own and I can't imagine my life without them. I can only pray that we never do.

[85 mustang]

11:42 AM on 12/08/2011

i love what the kids r doing i'm sure it makes them feel good and even though they r disabled they can still make a difference.
i started having seizures at age 15 now i am 38 and just last november i couldnt work any longer
(my doctor told me i couldnt work) i was at my past job for 11 years and now that i need the help there is none. my medication costs $28 for one and $500 for the other so i only get the cheaper one and take more of that to compensate for the one i dont have. far as help im in the process of getting help from the state i just hope that works. nothing is happenening yet far as help. if there is anyone with any information i sure would appreciate it.

[larryandy]

02:30 PM on 12/08/2011

God bless you, I just lost the battle for my son, was 23, worked at a special company for handicapped but he did not recover from his last seizure a few weeks ago. Another son now 30, spina bifida, mostly bed ridden, bed sores and infections. Has taken all I ever had to save their life and do as much as I can to make life meaningful. I now have coverage for my him through Agent Orange coverage but was denied because the government lied and covered up for 40 years the AO use until finally admitted just enough to have him covered, but in meanwhile, lost all we ever had for medical help. Nothing for those in the middle, not enough to pay bills, food, clothing, taxes, etc. but too much to get help. The boys were covered by medicare, my VA insurance and medicaid for some items, they were only allowed on that program by considering them adults on their own. So many illegals, funds were cut and no longer covered by any dental or eyes. Used Lamictal for seizures, that is what cost so much and impossible if you don't have some help. We go to the stores and see lines of illegals, go to hospitals and see illegals with sniffles, pregnancies, etc. welfare, housing, clothing, schools, etc. nothing for Americans except hgher taxes and fees to cover those who pay nothing.

[85 mustang]

09:30 AM on 12/10/2011

sorry about your loss. i agree with everything you said. since i lost my job and can no longer work i recieve long term disablity i had to rent out my home until i can sell it. me and my wife have moved into an apartment she has quit her job of 17 years so we could move and now we have no insurance so now it is a waiting game for medicaid and if i am denied that i'm not sure what to do for insurance. im not sure what agent orange insurance is for but it is probably for worse cases it is something i will have to look into. i sure appreciate your information and i am sorry for the things you have went through and are going through. i might have to get a job but that would mess my long term disability up and i dont know if i could get it again. if i could get on social security that would be nice that would automatically entitle me to medicaid. i know what your saying about the illegals but it is also americans that have kids so they can be on assistance and drive nice cars because they have it in someone elses name and that makes me mad but it is people who do the system and thats the reason it is the way it is.

[mneff07]

11:15 AM on 12/08/2011

Bles them all they are a blessing to us!

[liddlelady]

11:01 AM on 12/08/2011

This list was awesome and so encouraging! Way to go kids!