Teen volunteer spreads kindness, encourages others to experience joy of giving back

A Brooksville teenager hopes to inspire others to follow in her footsteps and volunteer. 

Volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent in Tampa has been a tradition for Emma Bolton for nearly 10 years. She drives all the way from Brooksville to lend a hand. 

"I was 8 years old was the first time I volunteered here at the Holiday Tent and it really impacted my life," she shared. "I've done the hospitality and I've also stocked shelves. I do a lot of Metropolitan Ministries collection throughout the summer and holiday season for Thanksgiving and Christmas."

To get the word out about those collections, she's created pages on Instagram and Facebook called Emma's Seeds of Kindness.

Emma Bolton has been volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent since she was 8 years old.

Emma Bolton has been volunteering at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent since she was 8 years old. 

"A lot of people do collect and they support me. I share quotes. I have free book giveaways mostly. It's just like my home page of my different projects. I do a lot of water conservation projects with Brooksville Elementary. I'm also a beekeeper so I do a lot of different things," stated Bolton.

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But she always makes time to help out at Metropolitan Ministries and plant seeds about the joy of giving back. 

Emma has a lot of projects going on but she always makes time to volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries.

Emma has a lot of projects going on but she always makes time to volunteer at Metropolitan Ministries. 

"It makes me really happy," she exclaimed. "I just get this wonderful feeling like to see the people that need the help and I know that I'm actually making an impact on someone else's life. It makes a really big difference on mine. So it makes me want to let other people know to do and help others."

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Emma's Seeds of Kindness is on Instagram at @emmas_seeds_of_kindness

Emma created pages on Instagram and Facebook called Emma's Seeds of Kindness to collect donations.

Emma created pages on Instagram and Facebook called Emma's Seeds of Kindness to collect donations. 

Fox 13 is teaming up with Metropolitan Ministries for $13 for 13. A $13 online donation will be matched through December 18th to purchase toys and food for families in need for the holidays. 

Click here to donate to $13 for 13.

Click here to donate food and toy items at donation drop-off locations.

To register for help visit https://www.metromin.org/holiday-central/need-help/

To host a drive visit https://www.metromin.org/holiday-central/ways-to-give/.

Click here for information about the most needed items.

For information about volunteering, visit https://www.metromin.org/holiday-central/volunteer/.