When the coronavirus pandemic first hit, Alexander Tsao learned of the additional hardships faced by the most vulnerable members of our community, and decided he would take matters into his own hands.
Tsao had first become involved with Hopelink as a sixth grader in 2014, when he started volunteering with the Redmond food bank. He continued to volunteer for the next six years, working side-by-side with Hopelink staff to support the local community.
Two years ago, Tsao started his own nonprofit organization, called Rocks2Dogs. Born out of his passions – animals, rock climbing and the environment – Rocks2Dogs’ mission is to reduce environmental waste and benefit animals by repurposing ropes discarded by climbing gyms into pet leashes.
But Tsao didn’t stop there. When the coronavirus pandemic began, he learned that Hopelink had made the decision to temporarily stop accepting food donations due to safety precautions, which meant that monetary donations would be more critical than ever. Armed with this knowledge and a passion for giving back, Alexander re-directed all Rocks2Dogs proceeds to Hopelink!
“I believe that philanthropy is not only a way to support causes one is passionate about, but also a way to feel closer with one’s community,” Tsao said. Thanks to his efforts and support for Rocks2Dogs, Alexander has raised more than $10,000 for Hopelink services.
Learn more about Tsao and Rocks2Dogs at www.Rocks2Dogs.org.