One of Usher’s New Look former campers is using his talents to be Powered By Service this week. Brandon “TD” is using his talent and network as an athlete to get his community involved in flood relief. Read below as Brandon describes his project and motivation in his own words. Check back everyday this week for an update!

I want to give back to my community because I believe I am taking a big step in getting my football team and school involved. We have a growing football team and this being my senior year, I want to leave an impression on the younger guys as well as my entire school. I'm not doing this to rack up my community service hours, I already have enough. I'm doing this because it is the right thing to do and hopefully I have started something at my school.

My goal for this project is to not only help victims of natural disasters, but to also challenge other schools and athletic teams to get involved in their communities. I chose to do this with my football team because it bonds the team while helping our community. I know for a fact that a lot of my teammates don't get involved in the community as much as they should. This project will show them there is a lot that they can do and set an example for younger kids that look up to high school athletes such as ourselves.

Being a 5-year camper of Usher's Camp New Look, I have learned many things about the flow of business and how I can get involved in my community. This year at camp we learned how to take effective steps to starting our own projects. We learned strategies of networking with people and how we can get others to become involved with us. Learning all these skills at the camp really prepared me for putting together this service project. I reached out to Shawn Wilson, president of Usher's New Look Foundation, to assist with my project. With his help and support from the New Look Foundation, my project has taken off.

My project will take place at my school during our homecoming week. We will collect donations to give to families in need in our very own community. We will also collect donations at our homecoming game, and give the money to families in need. I believe this project will become a new movement in my community, and empower others. There is so much we can do in our communities and so many people in need. It all starts with the youth. Once we step up to the plate and make a difference in our communities, it makes a bigger difference in the world. I am proud to say that I am powered by service and I encourage every teen in America to find a cause that directly affects you, and use your talents and skills to change the world.

Day 1

Today was off to a good start. The school is starting to get into the project. I made a video for day 1 and it looks awsome, but my computer froze while creating the video. I will have to post it tomorrow because it is getting late. So far today we have collected $37. I'm sure there will be more on the way. Many people forgot to bring extra money today, but many said they will bring more during the week. I am working hard to make this project successful.