| Published February 29th, 2012 | Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy Choose to Matter Contest | Submitted by Ann Kletz | ![](../issue0526/images/0526-01701.jpg) | Mariah "Molly" Brown Photo provided
| Mariah Brown is not your typical 13-year-old girl from Lafayette. In addition to going to school and hanging out with friends, Mariah is "choosing to matter" and doing something positive to help Bay Area children less fortunate than her.
Last year, Mariah attended the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy (JFSLA) and learned what it means to be a leader not just on the soccer field, but in life as well. She's taken her new found passion and determination and applied it to helping others in need. Mariah, whose nickname is Molly, started a project she calls "Molly's Dollies" to help the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, an organization that provides shelter and supplies for children whose families are in upheaval.
Molly makes dolls to donate to kids supported by the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Molly explains, "Choosing to matter made me glad to know that I was helping a lot of people out by doing this project. In some small way, I hope when they receive one of our dolls, their lives can be a bit better."
Molly has entered her project in Julie Foudy's "Choose to Matter" contest for a chance to win a trip to the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Advertisement
| | | | | | print story Before you print this article, please remember that it will remain in our archive for you to visit anytime. download pdf (use the pdf document for best printing results!) | | | Comments | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |