Thirteen-year-old Jonas Corona volunteering at Los Angeles Skid Row. Courtesy Love in the Mirror
When Long Beach teen Jonas Corona was just six years old, he started a nonprofit called Love in the Mirror, a charitable organization that strives to inspire young people to Make A Difference through their volunteer commitment of providing disadvantaged youth and their families basic necessities such as food, clothing and learning materials.
"I chose the name because it reminds me of a song and the song makes me think of people who don’t have toys and clothes because every kid should look in the mirror and love themselves," Corona wrote in 2009, following his experience feeding homeless children with his mom and aunt.
Now 13 years old, Corona is one of four kids being recognized at this year’s Nickelodeon HALO Awards, a concert special that airs Sunday and celebrates kids who are "helping and leading others" and trying to better their communities.
"I am grateful to be recognized by Nickelodeon for the volunteer work that I do through Love in the Mirror. I hope to inspire more teens to volunteer in their communities," said Corona.
Love in the Mirror has helped more than 45,000 homeless people through fundraising and collecting items such as socks, hygiene items and new toys for the holidays.
"I just love helping and giving," Corona said in a statement.
Watch Jonas receive his honor at the must-see concert event of the season, the 2016 HALO Awards, hosted by Nick Cannon and featuring special appearances by top music artists Jason Derulo, Hailee Steinfeld, Zedd, Alessia Cara, Daya, Jake Miller, Jacob Whitesides, Dance Moms star JoJo Siwa, and stars from the Nickelodeon hit shows The Thundermans and School of Rock, premiering Sunday, Nov. 27, at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), across Nickelodeon USA, TeenNick and Nicktoons! For more information about the 2016 Nickelodeon HALO Awards and Love in the Mirror, visit nick.com/halo16 and loveinthemirror.org. Congratulations on your award, Jonas!!
The public is invited to join Jonas and Love in the Mirror volunteers at Legends in Long Beach, Calif. for a HALO Awards viewing party. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Bring a new, unwrapped toy valued at $5 or more for a chance to win prizes. Visit the Facebook event page here for more information.
Love in the Mirror is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Article sources: Long Beach Post, Compton Herald.
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