Youth of the Month January 2016: Lindsey Koester

Laura FergusonNo CommentsCourier & Press Articles, Hall of Fame, Make A Difference Grants, Youth of the Month

By Jeremy Brown

Serving is not about building a resume or completing a class project for 15-year-old Lindsey Koester. Serving is a deeply-rooted practice in the Koester family that Lindsey attacks seriously and whole-heartedly.

The North Posey sophomore is involved in nearly 20 different extra-curricular activities at school and in the community, and she works two jobs on top of that. Koester’s plate wasn’t too full to start a service project outside of all her responsibilities, however, as she and her older brother Travis  utilized a Youth Resources’ Make A Difference Grant to piece together 25 “Hug Packs” for foster children being placed in new homes.

Lindsey’s tremendous act of service has earned her recognition as Youth Resources’ January Youth of the Month.

“Foster care is such an awesome thing for kids because parents are providing care that they otherwise may not ever have,” said Lindsey.

Family holds significant meaning in the Koester household. Lindsey has 37 first cousins, including two adopted foster children.

Additionally, her aunts host three other foster children in their house. So when Lindsey needed help completing her project, it was a family affair with all the cousins that included a ping pong tournament, pizza, snacks and the assembly of “Hug Packs.”

“Family is really big for me. Two of my aunts have adopted foster children and they are what inspired the project,” said Lindsey. “I really fell in love with them. We all feel a connection with foster children and it feels so good giving back.”

The “Hug Packs” were backpacks filled with basic needs such as shampoo and tooth brushes, but also customized with stuffed animals and blankets to provide foster children with something to call their own.  Last week, the Koester’s delivered the completed packs to the Stand Up Foundation, which aims to creatively serve foster children and families.

“As you grow up you see the things going on in the world and realize how fortunate you are,” said Lindsey. “I love making others feel good about themselves and I can’t stand to see people not feeling their best. I like to make them feel that way.”

Jeremy Brown is the TEENPOWER, Special Events and Communications Coordinator at Youth Resources.