“My definition of caring is helping others without a second thought.”

That pretty much sums up Alex VanHaren, an Oxford Middle School seventh-grader. This month, Alex was selected as a distinguished finalist in this year’s 10-person class of Michigan’s Top Youth Volunteers. The recognition is given as part of Prudential Financial’s Spirit of Community Awards.

Alex, who was nominated by OMS Principal Dacia Beazley, received the recognition for his community service efforts through his charity, Scarves 4 Cozy Kids. Scarves 4 Cozy Kids has given over 4,000 hats, scarves and other winter items to kids in the area who cannot afford them since 2015.

“You can nominate a student who has a charitable heart, and we thought of (Alex) right away,” Beazley said.

He is also noticeably one of the youngest in his class. Out of the eight distinguished finalists, 13-year-old Alex is the only one under the age of 16.

Though he’s now in middle school, Alex started his charity as a fourth-grader at Oxford Elementary School.

“It was a day in winter during the forth-grade recess at OES, and I had already seen it a couple of times, but there were some kids without proper winter clothing,” he said. “I started getting really worried for them. I came home one day and told my mom we needed to knit, and she laughed about that. But then I told her why, and we started (Scarves 4 Cozy Kids) right away.”

In the beginning he and his mom, Nicole VanHaren, knitted everything by themselves. Today, the knitting is done mostly by volunteers.

Aside from running his own charity, Alex also supports other charities on a monthly and yearly basis. This month, he is collecting plastic bags for Good Samaritan to use during its food drive. Plus, he’ll be collecting soda pop tops for the Ronald McDonald House and used eyeglasses for the Lions Club all year long.

“Whenever I see someone else, I have a lot of empathy and I just see things in their shoes before I look in mine,” Alex said.

His mom said he’s always been that way.

“Alex has always led with his heart,” Nicole said. “He’s the ultimate servant-leader.”

That servant’s heart also earned Alex a surprise award he didn’t apply for: the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Alex received an official letter for the award, complete with White House letterhead and United States President Donald Trump’s signature.

“One of our Nation’s greatest strengths remains the compassion of our everyday citizens, who give so willingly of themselves and their lives for the benefit of others,” the letter reads. “Each generation of hardworking and kindhearted volunteers helps to write a new chapter of American greatness, and our Nation is proud for your commitment to this honorable tradition.”

Beazley noted that Alex’s giving heart has made a difference in the halls of OMS. Recently, Alex was able to help one of his peers start her own community service initiative.

“I’ve got another student who was interested in helping buy dog beds for animal shelters, so I got her in touch with Alex because Alex has that experience of, ‘Here’s what you have to do,’” Beazley said.”He’s kind of helped guide her, and it’s such a cool thing.”

For those who want to help Scarves 4 Cozy Kids, Alex is always accepting volunteers and donations for scarves, hats, soda pop caps, eyeglasses and the items that come with monthly charity work.

People can stay up to date on his work and how to help him at Scarves 4 Cozy Kids’ Facebook page