Westminster Student Helps Inspire Chicago Youth Through Buddy’s Helpers

Madison Ekern (left) poses with young student-athletes honored for their community service by the “Making a Difference On and Off the Field” campaign (Photo courtesy of Jon Woo and the Chicago Tribune)

Westminster junior Madison Ekern of Chicago, Illinois is helping to spread the Westminster College commitment to servant leadership through the “Making a Difference On and Off the Field” campaign presented by the nonprofit Buddy’s Helpers and the PepsiCo Showdown. 

Each year, the campaign engages student-athletes and teachers to encourage community involvement and volunteering. Madison, a high school soccer standout and now a member of the Blue Jay women’s soccer team, visited Chicago Public Schools’ Bell Elementary, sporting a Westminster College t-shirt as she and Mizzou student Haley Brock surprised four seventh-grade girls with awards for their community service and leadership.

Madison and Haley gave each of the girls two tickets to the B96 Pepsi Summer Bash concert and a check for the girls to donate to their favorite local charity. The “Making a Difference On and Off the Field” campaign had 230 participating high schools and 25,000 student-athletes in 2018.

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Learn more about Westminster’s mission and commitment to helping students find the power in their purpose here.