Kelsey Hennig: How One Luncheon Changed a Life
As a first-cohort participant in the inaugural Hearts for Respite Luncheon, Kelsey reflects on how a single school experience shaped her, both personally and professionally.
Kelsey Hennig was part of something historic — she was among the very first cohort of students to participate in the inaugural Hearts for Respite Luncheon at Lopez Elementary in Fort Collins, Colorado. At the time, she was a fourth grader with a big heart and a chance to make a difference. What she didn’t know then was just how much that experience would shape the person she would become.
In this alumni spotlight, Kelsey reflects on the lasting impact of her Project Heart journey — how learning to give with intention as a child shaped her values, choices, and professional path as an adult. Her story is a powerful testament to the long arc of philanthropy education: that what students learn about giving in elementary school doesn’t stay in the classroom. It follows them into the world and helps make it a better place.