Rebecca Annitto Service Opportunities for Students (SOS) Award

The award rewards and encourages youth volunteerism and is presented annually to a Mercer County middle or upper school student. A grant will be made to the nonprofit organization suggested by the award recipient.

» Download the award guidelines and application materials

Rebecca Annitto

Many of you are visiting this site because you’ve seen Little Miss Sunshine, and noticed the dedication to Rebecca at the end of the film. Welcome. We encourage you to read on about the life and vision of Rebecca Annitto and learn how you can help her dream become reality.

Rebecca Annitto was tiny in stature but powerful in heart, spirit and passion for life. Her wide eyes looked broad and deep. She saw all the wonder and sorrow in the world. She loved being coxswain for Mercer Junior Rowing; she adored fashion and beauty; she loved friends and family and she felt a special kinship towards others who were less fortunate.

In the summer of 2005 Rebecca went off to Los Angeles to play an extra in the movie Little Miss Sunshine, (producers include her uncle Peter Saraf,) and in spite of her uncle’s efforts to dissuade her from her fervent interest in the business, she was captivated and wanted to pursue acting.

Rebecca Annitto’s Vision

During that time Rebecca was working to develop her vision to connect students with meaningful service opportunities, helping local organizations identify and harness the talent and vitality of her fellow students.

Rebecca recognized that middle and high school students have school-based community service requirements and their own desires to contribute. She saw how difficult it was for kids to find suitable, interesting and accessible volunteer websites. She thought it would be great if students could identify local volunteer opportunities online that matched their interests, abilities and schedule.

Rebecca Annitto was about to turn fifteen when a tragic accident took her life on September 14, 2005.

What is SOS?

Rebecca envisioned a website where students could register their interests and skills and find volunteer opportunities suitable for them. Applications would be completed by students and matched with volunteer opportunities posted by organizations. She wanted to access local organizations as well as service opportunities in homes, schools and disaster sites. She wanted to create links between community need and student talent in an efficient, accessible way.

A committee comprised of local high school students with support from the Princeton Public Library, Hands on Helpers, and the Princeton Area Community Foundation has made Rebecca’s vision a reality. Please visit the SOS website at princetonsos.org or visit Volunteer Connect.