For my freshman community service hours, I chose to raise money and awareness for ALS in honor of my Aunt Heather and Uncle Scott. Anyone who knows me knows how important they are in my life and how much they mean to our whole family. Over the past two years, they spent countless hours caring for Uncle Scott’s dad, George Klisures, as he battled ALS. Watching them go through that experience showed me how strong love can be — and how devastating ALS truly is for every family it touches.

ALS is a terrible disease. It slowly takes away a person’s ability to move, speak, and eventually breathe. There is no cure, and no family should ever have to face it alone. My family saw firsthand how difficult and heartbreaking this journey can be.

George passed away peacefully on April 11th, surrounded by his family. He lived his life with energy, passion, and love. He was an athlete, a New York Mets fan (never held it against him), and someone who loved traveling with his wife, Susan, and with Aunt Heather and Uncle Scott. He visited all 50 states and celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary last November. He made memories everywhere he went, and he made every family gathering feel complete.

I will miss seeing him at our holidays — Easter, Thanksgiving, and all the moments that bring our family together. It won’t feel the same without him there, and that’s one of the reasons this project means so much to me.

During George’s journey with ALS, ALS United of Georgia played a huge role in supporting my family. They provided guidance, resources, and compassionate support that helped us navigate the hardest parts of this disease. Their help made a real difference, and I want other families to have access to the same support.

That’s why I’m using my community service hours to raise money and spread awareness — to honor George’s life, to support Aunt Heather and Uncle Scott, and to help other families facing ALS today. This is my way of showing love, support, and gratitude, and of keeping George’s memory alive by helping others who are going through the same painful journey.