WASHINGTON — Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that works to transform communities, and one young adult is participating to help the lives of people in the D.C.-area.
Sydnie Collins is an 18-year-old freshman at Howard University (she turns 19 on Wednesday) who's studying strategic ommunications, and is also the host of an international podcast called "Perfect Timing." The podcast, which she started during the pandemic when she was 15, was developed as a way to bring positivity to the community. Collins said she struggles with seasonal depression and anxiety, and she felt that other people her age could relate.
On the podcast, Collins, who was named one of the 25 Prudential Emerging Visionaries Winners for 2023 for inspiring commitment to improving the lives of others, interviews people she believes are inspirational.
"I just interview young entrepreneurs, motivational speakers, because I was like, if I start a podcast, I want to talk about something that's empowering and inspiring," the college student said. "So during such a scary, negative time, why not talk about the stories of people in the communities all across America?"
Through her podcast, Collins was able to team up with Jahkil Jackson and "Project I AM", as she interviewed the now 16-year-old from Chicago two years ago. She described the team-up between them as a full circle moment, as she will be able to participate in a virtual bag packing party.
"We're expecting, I believe, almost 1,200 youth from across 42 cities and about 17 states," Collins said. "And we will be packing over 15,000 blessing bags. Giving Tuesday is such a special time because it's a way for everyone everywhere to look into their pockets or look into their hearts and find a way to give back."
The blessing bags will include items such as hand lotion, hand sanitizer, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other toiletries that are needed for the holiday season, provided by sponsors including Discover and FedEx. Collins, with the help of 23 other Howard students and three youth from the community, will come together for the event at Busboys and Poets' Brookland location in D.C. to pack over 300 bags. Once they are packed and prepared they will be distributed across the D.C. metropolitan area to people in need.
Collins said these items might seem normal to many of us, but for some people unfortunately they are not a given.
When it comes to encouraging other to be involved in their communities, especially those who are young, Collins has a few words of advice.
"There's so many opportunities out there for you to get involved again in school and out of school. Just do your research," she said. "There's always someone who needs help and so there's many ways for you to get out there."
Collins also said that she believes that "youth are the future."
For her, Giving Tuesday is just one day out of many when it comes to giving back. She also started an initiative called "You Are Enough," which helps to inspire young girls to see their potential and strength. Through this she has asked young leaders and prominent women to write self-love letters that she delivers to girls with low self-esteem. Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy even submitted a letter.
"For me to be able to look at these girls and be like, I see myself in you, and I had low self esteem, and so I want to bring you up because you are so much more than you think you are," Collins said with a gleamier of hope in her eyes. "That is how I'm going to continue to give back to my community that way."
If anyone wants to send a letter in for this initiative they can send an email to perfecttimingexp@gmail.com.