Alexis Ross Organization Prepares for 'Walk for Hope' Fundraiser

The Alexis Ross Organization, Live Hope Laugh, is hosting a "Footsteps for Hope" walk at Westminster High School on Saturday, April 20 at 10 a.m. 

To learn more about Alexis Ross and her commitment to helping families in the Westminster area, read the following profile written on Patch in 2011. 

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In October 2008, Alexis Ross was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.  But rather than dwelling on her misfortune, Ross decided to turn this negative into a positive.  With the help of her family and friends, Ross formed the Alexis Ross Organization, a foundation dedicated to helping chronically ill children and their families.  Her organization’s slogan is “Live for Today, Hope for Tomorrow, Laugh Often” or simply “Live, Hope, Laugh.” 

The Alexis Ross Organization’s mission is to provide financial assistance and moral support to families with children suffering from chronic illness.  The foundation provides funds to help these families cover medical bills, buy groceries and pay their utilities, as well as presents for the children.

This past Christmas, the Alexis Ross Organization “adopted” three families through Carroll County Human Services.  These three families all have chronically ill children.  Steve Lee, a friend of Alexis’ family, volunteered to dress as Santa and help the foundation distribute presents to the three children.  

All of Alexis’ family members volunteer their time to support the foundation.  Her mother Caroline Ross has spent countless hours helping Alexis with a lot of the organizational chores.  Along with Alexis’ stepfather, Steve Tipton, Caroline is an integral part of the Alexis Ross Organization.  

“Alexis shows a tremendous dedication to her organization.  She’s been a great inspiration to her siblings as well as her friends.  I am proud of her accomplishments so far,” Tipton said.

Alexis’ older siblings, Timmy Ross, an 18-year-old senior at Westminster High School, and Ashley Ross, a 20-year-old student at Carroll Community College, also volunteer their time to help Alexis’ foundation.   

One recent fundraiser they organized, the Battle of the Bands, yielded over $700 in net proceeds for the Alexis Ross Organization, and the next Battle of the Bands is already in the planning stages.

Ross has also raised money for her foundation with Alexis’ Barrettes, homemade barrettes she and her volunteers create and sell on-line for five dollars each.  The barrettes are custom made, some with sports or motorcycle club themes.  You can order the barrettes, as well as volunteer your time or donate money for the Alexis Ross Foundation at www.livehopelaugh.org. The Alexis Ross Foundation donates the net proceeds from Alexis’ Barrettes to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Alexis is a trained volunteer and leader of a volunteer group at Sinai Hospital.  Her ambition is to establish her own Live, Hope, Laugh House for chronically ill children and their families.

One of Alexis’ teachers, Ms. Diegel, has started a juvenile diabetes support group inspired by Alexis and her work.  Many of Alexis’ friends, such as twelve-year-old West Middle student Taylor Lee, also lend their time and support to the Alexis Ross Organization. 

Alexis Ross and her family prove that a few people can make a positive difference in the world around them.  The volunteers that encounter Alexis cannot help but marvel at her accomplishments, especially at such a young age. 

The Alexis Ross Organization is a perfect example of community activism at its best.  Alexis put it best when she told said: “I just want people out there to know that I want to help as many people I can, this Christmas my goal is to adopt 10 families and each year the numbers of families I help will increase. I may only be 14 but I am dedicated to helping others and making a difference in peoples lives.”