Ariana was 11 when she started placing in and eventually winning adult triathlons. She formed Team Ariana and designed a line of race clothing to satisfy the demands of multiple sponsors who wanted their logo on her gear. When the offers started rolling in, Ariana closed her eyes and saw dollar signs... but not for herself.
From the time Ariana was just 6 years old, she started calling the Vogel Alcove in Dallas, Texas, to see how she could help the homeless children referred there for free childcare and free case management by local emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, housing programs, and other organizations that serve homeless families. Ariana has donated more than $80,000 through Team Ariana to protect, educate, and aid those children, with more to come.

As often as she can, Ariana spends time with the kids she assists. As she told reporter Whitney Thompson from the North Dallas Advocate magazine, “When I run, I run for them. Sometimes it’s the only thing I think about when I’m out there.” 

We are honored to welcome her by phone today.