Opening an envelope with money inside on your birthday is usually followed with the excitement of buying that concert ticket you previously couldn’t afford or finally going on that shopping spree you had planned ages ago. However, for sophomore Keana Gonzales, these things are of little importance in comparison to the idea from helping others, which is what she has decided to do with her envelope of money.

“Between the money I received at my birthday party and from my family, the total came to around $3,000, which is the amount needed to build a house,” Gonzales said. “I knew that building a house would be the perfect way to spend it.”

Gonzales takes several mission trips to Mexico every year to build houses for the poor. In previous years she took the trips with just her family, but this year, she wants her friends to share the experience with her. Her group will set off on Saturday, May 16 to build houses.

“I’m most excited for [my friends] to actually experience the feeling of helping and to see what I do when I’m there,” Gonzales said. “Just them wanting to go on this experience is so heartwarming and I know once they get there they’ll love it.”

Gonzales and her mom have been taking mission trips since she was two years old and many people know her for her constant generosity. The Gonzales family started a program in the Philippines to provide families with food and other important items. Her travels to Mexico and the amount of service she has done is her way of demonstrating the importance of helping others.

“I don’t think there is anything more satisfying than just simply being nice to someone,” Gonzales said. “To the kids in Mexico, the smallest act of kindness can make their whole day.”

Gonzales used social media to spread word of her project. An Instagram photo she posted on March 6 informed her followers that the house they are building is for “a single working mom with two kids.” The post also encouraged people to “experience a mission trip for the first time.” She received a number of responses from people who were looking for something to do as a service project.

“I want to make a difference in someone’s life,” said sophomore Nicholas Giardini, who is attending the trip. “I’m looking forward to giving someone a shelter and support in their most times of need.”

Gonzales’ generosity and willingness to serve others has opened the eyes of many people to reveal how they can help in the community and why it is important to do so.

“[Keana’s] attitude spreads quickly,” said sophomore Maddy Finalyson. “This encourages me to make a difference instead of sitting back and doing nothing.”

The many service opportunities that Gonzales has fulfilled taught her about kindness and how showing someone “a bit of kindness every day will truly go a long way.” She not only makes a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, but also inspires others students to do the same.