It is never too early to start volunteering in your community, and young Faria Rehman is a perfect example of that. Faria is a 10^th grade student at Friends’ Central School and native of Villanova, PA. This past June, Faria led her student group “Team Wave” to support the Gift of Life Howie’s House by raising an incredible $1,400 to benefit our Adopt-A-Family Program. This program helps cover the cost of lodging for guests who are unable to pay the $40 nightly fee, and also helps offset the difference between what guests are asked to pay and actual operating costs of $160 to house a family for one night. It is only through the support of community efforts, like that of Faria Rehman and Team Wave, that the Gift of Life Howie’s House is able to stand by our commitment to never turn an individual away – regardless of their ability to pay.

Team Wave was born from Spark the Wave, an organization that empowers teens to channel their creative minds and produce a service project for a nonprofit of their choice. Thousands of students throughout the country band together to support a cause they believe in, and lucky for us, Faria and her team found Gift of Life Howie’s House.

18 years ago, Faria’s older sister, Sabrina, received a liver transplant at a local children’s hospital. As a family member of a transplant recipient, Faria was able to motivate her team through her personal connection to our mission. Faria has also attended the annual Dash for Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness, an event that continues to demonstrate the incredible community support for spreading awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Faria fostered an even deeper connection to transplant patients and families by visiting Gift of Life Howie’s House this past June. “I can’t believe that something that started so small could help families in such a major way,” Faria stated. After receiving a tour of our facility, Faria exclaimed that she is excited to continue supporting the House and already has plans to start her next project, especially now that she has seen the direct impact her contributions have made.

Gift of Life Howie’s House is excited to see what Faria is planning next to further support our mission. As a model leader for teens, and those of all ages, let Faria’s story serve as an inspiration and organize a fundraiser yourself! The Gift of Life Howie’s House is now an official partner of Crowdrise – an online platform that makes fundraising simple, accessible and fun! For fundraising ideas, click here and get involved today to help support the courageous transplant patients and families who stay at Gift of Life Howie’s House!

A big THANK YOU again to Faria and Team Wave for your inspirational support of the Gift of Life Howie’s House!