I’ve created a fundraising campaign instead of having a Sweet 16 party and I've chosen to raise monies for the US Military. I've dreamt of having a Sweet 16 since I was a little girl. I guess we all dream of an extravagant party with hundreds of friends dancing, laughing and having fun (maybe even a brand new car). But with everything that’s been going on in the world lately, I think there’s a better way to celebrate. The men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families have made the sacrifices that allow me the freedom to dream. They put their lives on the line and spend months or more away from their loved ones so I can go to school with my friends, have dinner with my family, then drift to sleep without thinking about the dangers in the world. In their honor, instead of an elaborate party, I’m launching Operation Sweet 16. Please donate and make a soldier's dream come true. — Tori

Help Me Help Them! Operation Sweet 16 is a campaign to raise money to help U.S. soldiers and their families. By Tori’s 16th birthday on March 16, 2012, she plans to raise $16,000 to donate to U.S. Soldiers in financial need. You can donate here or attend one of the many events we’ll be holding this year. Check out the events section at operationsweet16.org for more details. (If you’d like to host an event, contact us with your idea or we can help you come up with one.) The direct donations we receive here and the money we collect at events will help me meet my goals, but there are other ways to help. Contact us to volunteer your time at the events. Encourage your friends and neighbors to stop by our website or events to donate. Talk about Operation Sweet 16 on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also show support by clicking the Facebook like button or follow Operation Sweet 16 on Twitter.