By KATE STONE

Niles Daily Star

She is not your typical teenage girl.

Angelika Anderson, 17, is the president of student council, president of National Honors Society, chairwoman of the Niles Youth Advisory Board and captain of the Brandywine varsity girls soccer team. In addition to participation in multiple student organizations, Anderson is also organizing the Fun in the Sun Summer Toy Drive to benefit underprivileged children.

“Although right now life is tough, you will grow as a person from this experience,” she said.

Anderson was born and raised in Texas, where her parents continuously campaigned for public office. As a child, she worked to promote her parents’ careers by handing out flyers to gain support from the public. When she wasn’t helping with the campaigns, Anderson could be found playing outside, but not by choice. Her father was a controlling alcoholic who often wouldn’t allow her in the house. As a result, she didn’t receive the attention necessary to develop social and emotional relationships.

Her parents divorced when she was 10 years old. Anderson was forced to grow up and mature earlier as a result of custody battles between her parents.

“Sometimes when you’re a child you don’t get to be a child,” she said. “It was confusing to hear what my parents were telling me about each other.”

Anderson moved to Niles in 2006 and is currently enrolled at Brandywine High School, where she became involved in a number of school activities.

“I had the mindset that no one will help me, I must help myself,” she said. “I became really self-disciplined and ambitious.”

She works hard to support and ensure a better future for herself. She started working at Michiana Party Hall when she was 14 years old. Angelika uses the money she earns to pay for her cell phone bill, car insurance and clothes. She also pitches in to help pay for groceries and gasoline.

“It’s frustrating when I have been working since I was 14 and my friends who are 17 are just now getting jobs,” Anderson said.

During her junior year at Brandywine, Anderson went for a visit in Kalamazoo, where she volunteered at a soup kitchen. She was able to get a closer look at the people who can’t support themselves. This was the experience she was looking for. Shortly after her return, she began contemplating what she could do to help. Her goal was to give underprivileged children a chance at a life she never had.

With advice and guidance from the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Angelika decided to host a summer toy drive.

“Christmas is overdone,” she said. “I want to give these kids an awesome summer.”

Anderson is continuously passing out flyers providing the information about the toy drive. The flyer includes some ideas of what people can donate, including bathing suits, summer clothes, water toys, books, movies, foot wear and various sporting equipment. She will also be accepting monetary donations in place of an actual item. The monetary donations will be spent to purchase additional items for the families.

The Fun in the Sun Summer Toy Drive will be taking place Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Big Lots parking lot in Niles. Anderson also has a donation request form for the families or individuals who wish to receive donations. The form details what exactly the children need in order to make the donations more personal.

“I know that sometimes it is difficult to ask for help, but think of the children and not your pride,” Anderson said.

For more information about Fun in the Sun Summer Toy Drive, contact Angelika Anderson at (269) 357-3102 or angelika.anderson@gmail.com.