I love. Those two simple words are the driving force behind the fundraising program created by Senior Kelly Mahoney that generates money to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the National AIDS Fund and the Elias Fund.

"Last summer, while I was working on my senior service project, I was thinking about how much I would love to go to a Third World country and volunteer. I know that’s not possible right now, so I was just trying to figure out the best way to make a difference," Kelly said. "I realized the best way to make an impact was to send money. To show some love that way."

Along with two friends based in Georgia, Kelly devised the "I love" project of color-specific t-shirts that support important issues affecting society. Pink t-shirts are in support of the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation, blue shirts aid St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Black shirts correlate to the National AIDS Fund and orange shirts promote the mission of the Elias Fund.

The trio was initially inspired by the Elias Fund and the music of the former band Dispatch. The band’s song "Elias" grew into an international charitable organization to aid communities in Zimbabwe. "I knew about the song and the band, because I was a fan," Kelly recounted. "Once I learned about the mission, I felt the need to help."

Kelly and her friends raised over $2,000 for their chosen non-profit groups by selling "I love" t-shirts. At the beginning of the school year, Kelly went to the junior class and asked them to consider her program as a class service project. She sold t-shirts at lunch, made Veritas TV appearances and encouraged students to purchase shirts. Word of mouth and the support of the online community also aided sales. After she graduates, Kelly hopes to create a stronger Web presence for "I love" and continue to build on the success of their fundraising efforts.

"After the students bought so many t-shirts, we realized this was a good idea. That it could really go somewhere!" she said. "The idea is that you’re not only getting something, you’re giving something, too."

Kelly plans to attend St. Louis University next fall and study theology and nutrition. At St. Agnes, she also stays busy with National Honor Society, the Campus Ministry Team and other groups.

She points to her service work and education at St. Agnes as helping open her eyes to the realities of the world outside her doorstep. "Our society is so privileged; I think about that a lot," Kelly said. "St. Agnes does a really good job of making us aware of that. It has definitely made me more curious and eager to learn more."