Georgia Magazine - December 2017 - 9

COURTESY KENDALL ROBINSON

expand nationally and eventually internationally. The group has worked
with organizations in New Jersey and
South Carolina to provide toilet paper to the homeless, and it sent toilet
paper to Gatlinburg, Tenn., residents
who suffered losses during last year's
wildfires. Robinson said plans are underway to send supplies to victims of
this year's hurricanes.
Through a mission trip, Robinson learned about Shepherd's Field
Children's Village in Beijing, China,
where she was able to bring donated
toilet paper in June.
Robinson is focused on achieving her goal of collecting 1 million
rolls of toilet paper for those in need.
Kendall Robinson of Suwanee created Love Rolls Inc., a nonprofit that collects toilet paper
She also hopes to inspire other teens
for people in need.
to step up and contribute wherever
they have a passion.
"Adults think we can't do anything big," Robinson says. "And many
teens don't think they can effect
change. I want them to know this
was started by a teen, to be an examhile attending a youth summit when people found out about our ple to inspire other teens to change
their communities for the better."
with the Atlanta Community story, they responded."
-Karon Warren
Food Bank last year, Suwanee
When the program began, Georresident Kendall Robinson handed gia-Pacific donated 100,000 rolls and
out paper towels and toilet paper to Kimberly-Clark gave 75,000 rolls. Love
homeless people. In doing so, she Rolls Inc. recently received a 25,000spoke with a man who talked about roll donation from Veritiv Corp.
rationing his toilet paper to make
"I'm thankful for the support
it last as long as possible. It struck we've gotten over this first year," Robher how important toilet paper is in inson says. "People we've helped are
day-to-day living and how so many so appreciative. It's humbling and valpeople take it for granted.
idates what we're doing."
"Toilet paper is a need, but most
It didn't take long for Robinson's
people don't consider it a big deal," efforts to catch the eye of some nothe 17-year-old says. "But it's expen- table politicians. After reading about
sive."
Love Rolls Inc. in The Atlanta JourGeorgia EMC sponsors
As part of the youth summit, nal-Constitution, Georgia Secretary of
Centennial Farms event
participants were tasked with creat- State Brian Kemp reached out to RobThe 25th annual Georgia Centennial
ing their own initiatives to help those inson, as did Gov. Nathan Deal, who
Farm Awards were presented Oct. 6
in need. Robinson decided to collect presented her with a commendation.
during the Georgia National Fair in Perry.
toilet paper and distribute it to the Robinson even received a letter from
Georgia Electric Membership Corp. in
homeless. "I thought it would be a former President Barack Obama.
Tucker sponsors the annual awards
one-week project," she says.
On Nov. 9, Robinson received
ceremony. This year, 14 farms were
That one-week project has the Teen Volunteer of the Year Award
honored. Since 1993, the program has
turned into Love Rolls Inc., a non- from the Greater Atlanta Chapter of
recognized more than 500 farms continuprofit organization that has collected the Association of Fundraising Profesously operating for 100 years or more.
200,000 rolls of toilet paper. The sionals.
Learn more about the Centennial
rolls are distributed to those in need
While Love Rolls Inc. will conFarms Program at georgiashpo.org/
through partner agencies.
tinue to serve homeless people in
centennialfarms.
"I thought it was weird to ask Atlanta and other Georgia commu-Ryan Sammon
for toilet paper," Robinson says. "But nities, the organization is looking to

Suwanee teen rolls out program
to assist homeless

GA DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES

December 2017

More online at www.georgiamagazine.org

http://www.georgiashpo.org/centennialfarms http://www.georgiashpo.org/centennialfarms http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - December 2017