Kinsey Morrison to receive youth division Bell Award
by Niki King
JCL Public Relations Specialist
Kinsey Morrison, 17, a long-time volunteer with the Louisville chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Nearly New Shop in the Mid-City Mall, is one of two recipients of this year’s WLKY Bell Awards Youth Service Honor.
The program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a true “spirit of Louisville” through selfless volunteer efforts and seeks to inspire residents to engage in community service.
Morrison began volunteering at age four when her mother was working at the American Red Cross. At six years old, she began a hard-fought battle with cancer. She’s been in remission for nine years, but that fight still motivates her.
“My overall chance of being alive today is 0.00047 percent,” Morrison said. “I miraculously lived through my illnesses, but so many kids don’t. I’ve been to 17 funerals in 17 years. In my eyes, there’s no reason that I lived and they didn’t. But I owe it to them to make reason out of it.”
Kinsey has been described as a tireless ambassador and motivational speaker for Gilda’s Club, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Kids Acting Against Cancer, Camp Quality Kentuckiana, Kosair Charities and Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Additionally, this Governor’s Scholar and athlete has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Blessings in a Backpack, the Girl Scouts, WaterStep and her school, St. Francis, where she is currently a senior.
She’s been volunteering for the Nearly New Shop during the summer and weekends, helping sort, mark and rack clothing since she was in middle school. She also helps with the Fashion Encore, the NCJW largest fundraising event. She’s gotten her two sisters, and her mother, Karen Morrison, who is CEO of Gilda’s Club, involved in volunteering for the Nearly New Shop as well.
Karen Morrison noted that one of Kinsey’s enduring strengths is connecting others to service.
“She knows that ripple effect is far greater than anything she could do alone,” she said. “Kinsey doesn’t do anything for the recognition of it. She has a passion for service, she wants to make the world a better place and she’s very intense about it.”
Kinsey Morrison was nominated for the award by Ellen Rosenbloom, NCJW past president.
The WLKY Bell Award recipients will be honored at a banquet at the Galt House Hotel Wed., Oct. 9. Reservations to the dinner can be made by contacting WLKY at 893-3671 by Oct. 1. A special one-hour telecast of the awards will air on WLKY Sat., Oct. 19, from 8-9 p.m.
