It has been inspiring for us to hear about the Sullivan Ballou-style heart energy you are expressing to those around you. You are a true organizer and community builder, starting with community improvement groups like C.O.U.N.C.I.L.and White Bear Lake Rotaract and including projects like a student-led human rights conference, “What can I do to Change the World”, where you spoke on what students can do to advocate for human rights, and connecting the Minnesota Untied Soccer team with Walk for Water fundraising. You are constantly helping those in need, from Second Harvest Heartland and Feed My Starving Children to Open Arms and Dinner with Santa. You are a tireless advocate for making the world a better and more sustainable place, through activities like H2O for Life and funding wells for schools in South America and Africa. You are building pathways to world peace and human rights in your internship with the North West Cultural Partnership Northern Ireland and as Vice President of the Human Rights Student Association.
One thing of which we took particular note is the way you integrate your causes with your personal and social activities—like raising money for a school for homeless youth by putting a donation bucket at the door of the comedy club shows you host at your house and getting your band friends to host benefit concerts.
Most important, we know you have done all this with humility and an open heart. Only a true, heart-felt passion to help others could fuel your wonderful array of projects, causes, and organizations.
Mitchell, we are delighted to be able to present you with this award as an acknowledgment of the person you are and the path you have set for yourself. You are receiving the 90th Sullivan Ballou award, and the award list contains activists, advocates, reformers, teachers, artists, healers and business owners who, like you, are making the world a better place. We hope that joining this group will help confirm for you the great gifts you are offering to the world.
Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members