Making a Mark

by Jordan Brown

Bella Etzkorn, current 8th grader at Shawnee Middle School and creator of “Bella’s Buddies,” saw the need to give back to the community. In March 2021, Bella decided to take the initiative and show others, including herself, how easy it was to do so. Bella’s Buddies provides awareness through social media challenges, philanthropy, and different opportunities for the public to show their support and contribute to Bella’s vision. Bella’s vision is not only spread through motivational posts on Instagram to encourage positivity but through actions and generosity. Throughout the year, Bella and her team hold drives and fundraisers throughout the year for different organizations located in Allen County, including the Ohio SPCA and Humane Society and Family Promise.

The holidays also provide an opportunity for the community to spread positivity, love, and kindness to others. From Valentine’s for Vancrest Health Care Center residents to the Halloween costume drive for children at Family Promise, there are multiple opportunities to showcase the good in our communities. Bella asks for donations in order to give flowers and Valentine’s Day cards to lift the spirits of the residents of Vancrest. Her gift of giving doesn’t stop there.

Bella has also hosted many different drives collecting everything from supplies needed for the Ohio SPCA and Humane Society to socks and personal hygiene supplies at her middle school for Family Promise. This past Christmas, Bella’s Buddies provided gifts for 7 families in Allen County with the generosity of donations and Christmas Spirit. If there is a need, Bella uses her talents and kindness to pay it forward in hopes that others will find joy and spread their own kindness by seeing what can be done when that is at the forefront.

Bella’s Buddies has also organized and provided a free fun jump and a goodie bag with Hero Day in the Lima Mall for 50 underprivileged kids with the help of many sponsors such as Sara’s Sweets, Peak Community Wellness, Pat’s Donuts and Kreme, and Bella Notta’s Pizza.

Bella’s favorite part of Bella’s Buddies “is getting to see the smiles on people’s faces when we’ve done something good to help them or their organization! It’s the best feeling seeing joy in other people!”

Bella wants to use her platform to encourage all people, both young and old, to give back and provide the public with opportunities to do so! “My goal for Bella’s Buddies is to encourage and motivate others to get involved in their own communities, no matter where they live.”

Bella has been competing in scholarship pageants since she was 7 years old, and one thing many people don’t realize about these pageants, is that many of them have a community service aspect tied to them. They want to see strong, motivated, young women giving back to their communities and making a difference in various ways, which is why Bella uses Bella’s Buddies as her platform. Her next competition is in July, and she is always looking for sponsor support.

You can help spread the vision of Bella’s Buddies by following her Facebook page and Instagram Page @bellasbuddies0511 and participating in challenges that include acts of kindness, inclusion, and thankfulness, as well as donations. These contributions to the community cannot be done alone. It is the hope of Bella’s Buddies to spread positivity and kindness in a world where others might not feel that.

“I would love to see more people join the Bella’s Buddies movement, and get behind the #dogoodtogether movement, because I think when people come together to help others, there is no limit to how much good we can all do together!”