Hi Everyone

My name is Hannah Taylor. I am 13 years old and when I was 8, I started The Ladybug Foundation to help the homeless. Ladybugs are good luck and they are my mascot.

Let me tell you why I care about the homeless and why we all must care about people without a home.

When I was 5 years old my mom and I saw a man eating out of a garbage can. I was very sad and felt sick about it. I asked my mom why he had to do that. I talked to my mom about homelessness a lot. Why, Why, Why I asked. If everybody shared what they had would that cure homelessness?

Then I started school and one day when I was going to school, I saw another homeless person. Everything she had was in one grocery cart. Now my heart was too sad.

That night before I went to bed I wished I could cure homelessness. Everybody needs a home. I love my home. My mom told me that sometimes when you worry and feel sad about things, if you do something to change the problem, your heart won't feel so sad. She was right. I don't worry so much anymore because I know I can help and so can you.

Over the past five years, I have learned a lot about homelessness and I have had the chance to teach people about homelessness. I have talked to thousands of people. I believe that if people know about homelessness - that there are people living without a home - they will want to help.

They sure have. Lots of people have listened and helped in a million ways. Companies, schools, groups and organizations from all over Canada have invited me to speak to them about The Ladybug Foundation, hunger and homelessness and how they can help.

You can email us at ladybugfund@shaw.ca and find out more about how I can come and work with you.

Some people help by making donations, making Ladybug Jars or by ordering Ladybug Foundation scarves. In the upcoming new year, I hope everyone will wear their Ladybug Foundation Scarves on January 31, 2010 – Our National Red Scarf Day. National Red Scarf Day is a day that we can all wear our red scarves and show our support, love and care for Canada’s hungry and homeless.

We still have a long way to go. Together we can help - we all have sooo much, we just need to share a little of what we have and care about each other always.

I have made many friends but there are two very special ones I want to tell you about.

One man named Rick lives in Winnipeg. I met him at a homeless shelter where he goes for food and love. He is a beautiful person and when I met him he cried. I asked him why he was crying and he said because I was hugging him, and looking at him and talking to him. He said they were happy tears. Now when I see him he doesn't do that so much.

I have a picture of us together. He wore his best shirt the day they took our picture. He is just like you and me - he just needs someone to care about him. I told him that I care about him and I always will.

I have some great news about Rick! I just had lunch with him. He has worked real hard – he has found a job and he has a place to call home. Rick did it!! He showed me that kindness, hard work and caring from all of us – gives people hope. “And when you have hope in your heart, all things are possible”.

I have even more news! Rick is now working with us at The Ladybug Foundation, using his experience and big heart to help us help others!

My next friend lives in Toronto. I met him when I was on holiday there. He was working on a street corner. I stopped to fill his asking cup with money from my purse. I dumped all my change in his cup, hugged him and I walked away. Twenty minutes later he came up behind us. He had been looking for me all this time. He had my ladybug good luck charm in his hand. I had accidentally dropped it in his asking cup. He wanted to me to have it back.

I hugged him and asked what his name was. He said "My name is Carey" and then he said no one ever asks him that. We talked for a while and I asked him if he works here everyday. He said most days. I said I would come back here everyday that I could. He was so skinny and he had hardly any teeth but he had the very brightest smile.

When I do work for The Ladybug Foundation, I think of my two friends and how we all need to care about them.

So many people have already helped me make The Ladybug Foundation. We will all need to work together forever to help our homeless people. I will keep teaching people about what the homeless need and I believe we can make a difference. We all need to care about each other and share a little of what we have.

My website will tell you how you can help me help the homeless. Please click through to find out.

Thank you for visiting my site and thank you for helping.

Hugs and Ladybugs!!

Hannah