Joshua’s Hands Announces Scholarship Winners
Joshua's Hands was established in 1999 in memory of Joshua Guthrie, who was an enthusiastic community volunteer. Joshua’s years of service were cut short by his death at the age of 16. Joshua’s Hands seeks to continue to be his hands of service in the community and to encourage others to serve.
The emphasis of the organization is expressed in their tag line: Extending hands for service and education from grateful hearts.
In addition to an annual Fall Festival that is free to the community, American heritage education programs – which include Valiant Warrior Quilts, community service and teen safe driving education, the organization offers A Servant's Heart Scholarship. The scholarship is essay based and open to all seniors in Loudoun County (VA). To date, the organization has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships.
Our two 2019 A Servant's Heart Scholarship recipients are from varied backgrounds with diverse interests. Michelle Houchins (Briar Woods High School) who will attend Arizona State University in the fall, has given many hours to Habitat for Humanity. When she felt disconnected, she sought a way to get involved in her community through service. Starting a Habit for Humanity Club at Briar Woods HS not only helped her connect with more than 50 student volunteers, it led to service projects in support of Habitat as well as hands-on involvement in a building project. In her video submission she said, “Volunteering served as a way for me to connect with the people living around me.”
The winning entry from Loudoun County High School was submitted by Ally Milder, who proved that mentors can come from all walks of life. Ally learned from an actress in a Broadway musical – Les Misérables. As a young girl attending a Broadway revival, she was captivated by Caissie Levy’s performance. So much so, that she reached out to the actress/singer, who became a mentor regarding stage and voice – but also in learning to serve and give to others. In her video submission, Ally spoke about her mentor this way: “Her selflessness and absolute kindness led me to want to give back in my community.”
Lorraine Orlowsky has been a volunteer with Joshua’s Hands for many years. She has been an essential volunteer at the annual Fall Festival, biannual Valiant Warrior Quilting Events, Touch-A-Truck fundraiser and yearly booth at the LoCo Fair. She brings willing hands and a servant’s heart to whatever she’s asked to do. Having graduated from Loudoun Valley High School and completed her Associates degree at Lord Fairfax Community College, Lorraine will be off to a four-year Nursing program in the fall. In recognition of her many hours of service, Joshua’s Hands created a new meritorious award – The Willing Hands Scholarship. Lorraine is the first recipient of this award.
We are pleased to see that our scholarship winners have learned one of the best-kept secrets in life: Service is not only about helping others – it’s about learning from others.
Joshua’s Hands proudly announces a $1000 scholarship to each of our three winners. We are also pleased to announce our Valiant Warrior Quilting Event (June 7-16) to make quilts for America’s wounded warriors – preferring to call them our Valiant Warriors. This drop-in event is free and open to the public. For more information about the organization, winning scholarship entries, Valiant Warrior Quilting Project or A Servant’s Heart Scholarship, visit the website: www.JoshuasHands.org