The world for many 20-year-old girls consists of iPhones, shopping and FaceBook. For Haley Anthonisen, the world is so much more – it’s about giving back. And as a result, Anthonisen was recognized as the Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals at a luncheon Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Sacramento Convention Center.

“She makes amazing, beautiful purses, and she gives a portion of the proceeds to us,” said Amber Stott, Director of Community Partnerships at Women’s Empowerment, a non-profit organization that benefits homeless women and children in Sacramento. “There are a lot of students who do community service, often as a school requirement, but it’s rare to see a young person who’s earned her own money and donate it to a charity.”

“A few years ago my dad was cleaning out his closet and had a bunch of neckties. I held onto them, and a few months later, I just made them into a bag. I got such good feedback, I decided to make more,” said Anthonisen.

And so began her business, Haley Corina Handbags. Anthonisen got her start selling her wares out of an East Sacramento storefront, Serendipity Boutique. Now the bags are available online at haleycorina.etsy.com.

Yet, before she was a force in business, Anthonisen was already an experienced philanthropist.

“In high school, I started going on missions with my church, Westminster Presbyterian. For four summers, we went to Indian reservations: Big Pine, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Pendleton, Ore.,” she said. “We built a deck, we patched a roof. This woman used to put tarps on her roof. Our help changed her life.”

Her interest in Women’s Empowerment began while a student at Sacramento’s Country Day High School, helping out with a Christmas stocking drive.

“Some day, I could become less fortunate and not have all the luxuries I have now- a home, parents, my sisters. This is for women who haven’t had the best luck in their lives,” said Anthonisen.

Anthonisen grew up in Land Park and is now a junior at the University of Redlands.

“It’s such an amazing school. College has given me the opportunity to volunteer even more,” she said.

Aside from carrying a full load of sixteen class credits, Anthonisen is a member of Alpha Theta Phi sorority, for which she serves as the community service chair. One of Anthonisen’s fundraisers was Collect-a-Million, a day spent collecting pull tabs from soda cans. More than 6 million tabs were collected, and the proceeds benefitted the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House.

At her job as the Student Director of Community Services, Anthonisen organizes a monthly Coffee for a Cause, a free event where students are invited to enjoy coffee or tea and listen to campus musicians. The venue allows campus clubs and organizations to promote educational events, social awareness and community gatherings.

Anthonisen’s sense of giving is something she has been raised with.

“My parents (Carson Anthonisen and Roberta Neidigh) have always been in touch with our community. They are both very driven people. They make me understand how important volunteering is,” she said.

As for the future, Anthonisen said, “I definitely want to keep running my business, and giving a portion of the proceeds to charity. In ten years, I might be working on an organic farm… or working for a design firm… or working for a non-profit organization.” Regardless of what she does, Amber Stott nailed it when she said, “Haley’s going to make a difference in this world.”

 

E-mail Celia Green at vcnnews@valcomnews.com.