Sky Dantinne describes 15-year-old Maggie Marshall as "one of those volunteers" — the kind who gives her all and more.
"She's just amazing," he said Sunday. "I appreciate her weekends, her week days. She even dedicates full days to the hospital for delivery."
MAGGIE IS TOO young to be delivering babies, but she, her mom, and her best friend, Curly Stuart, deliver a kaleidoscope of jester-like happy hats to the pediatric ward at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Girl Scouts, church groups, and other volunteers help with the year-round task. Maggie makes a delivery after 150 hats are completed.
"She has done some great things in teaching other kids at the center a new skill," said Dantinne, the community center's manager. "It is great to see kids who wouldn't ordinarily have that opportunity. It has grown into something really nice."
Maggie, a freshman at Park View High School in Sterling, started making hats, made of soft and colorful cotton, in February 2004. Her principal, Anne Brooks, nominated her for a May the Month for Children award. In addition to earning that statewide recognition, Maggie also has received a local "Kohl's Kids Who Care" award.
Brooks said she was impressed by Maggie's dedication. "To start so young and to be so consistent every week has impressed me," she said. "Every week she goes there to make magic hats, happy hats."
Margaret Geffert, a member of Maggie's church, nominated the teen for the Kohl's department store award.
MAGGIE'S MOM said she was proud of her daughter, the oldest of four children. "She has a broad view of the world and wants to make things better."
The volunteer effort is part of the national "Glories Happy Hats" program. The mission is to support children suffering from serious illness and their families, while bringing the value of community service to youth.
Mary Lou Marshall learned about Glories about a year ago, and suggested her daughter might participate. Maggie said she had to raise $8,000 for a restockable cabinet, which contained all the materials needed to produce 500 hats. Her mom's employer, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Warrenton, donated $4,000. Carly's mom, Linda Stuart, persuaded her employer, United Lithograph of Ashburn, to donate $1,000. Maggie and Carly raised the rest of the money.
Marshall said she believes she was singled out, because her mom has been so involved with the project. Her mom, however, said her daughter was recognized, because of her commitment to the project. Maggie lined up her 13-year-old sister, Amy, to take over while she played soccer this spring. Maggie injured her knee though, so soccer was nixed.
MAGGIE SAID she enjoys the project, because of the opportunity to help other people. The greatest reward is when the hats are distributed. She said she talks with the patients "like you're their friend instead of a stranger."
Maggie was one of the 16 students statewide to receive the May the Month for Children award. The 1997 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation designating the month for children. The purpose is to focus on schoolchildren's special contributions to families, schools and communities and to encourage people to help improve the lives of others. A Department of Education task force recognizes youth and mentors.
Maggie received a certificate and a $100 savings bond.
The Kohl's volunteer recognition program annually recognizes 1,250 children ages 6 to 18 and provides $186,000 in scholarships.
Kohl's presented Maggie with a $50 gift certificate. She will compete for a regional $1,000 scholarship and a national $5,000 scholarship.