While the Top 8 contestants of “The Voice” season 15 are battling it out for the grand prize, there’s something else the evolving artists are doing–giving back. Long before the singers made it onto the Emmy-winning reality show, they were volunteering. With their new platform, they’re now able to highlight those efforts and raise awareness for their charitable causes.
By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist
The Voluntourist talked to the remaining finalists about the inspiring ways they give back. Take a look below to see how “The Voice” season 15 contestants donate their time and talents.
Reagan Strange
Age: 14 Hometown: Memphis (Collierville), Tennessee Resides In: Germantown/Memphis, Tennessee Fun Fact: “I absolutely love chicken tenders with fries, Ketchup and Dr. Pepper. That is my dream meal.” Cause: “I absolutely love the ASL walk back home. I sing at it every year and I love the charity. They’re so incredibly sweet. It means a lot for me that I can use the talent God has given me and share it with others. To be able to put smiles on people’s faces that don’t always have so much joy in their lives, that means a lot.”
THE VOICE -- "Live Top 10 Results" Episode 1517B -- Pictured: (l-r) Kirk Jay, Blake Shelton, Chris Kroeze -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
Kirk Jay Age: 23 Hometown: Bay Minette, Alabama Resides in Montgomery, Alabama Fun Fact: “I hate green foods. I don’t like the taste. Anything green I hate it unless it’s money.” Cause: “I just want to give back to my community and people who supported me coming up. I want to help people musically and continue to help change lives.”
Chris Kroeze Age: 27 Hometown & Resides In: Barron, Wisconsin Fun Fact: “I’m embarrassingly good at Wii Ping Pong. We bought a Wii like five years ago and I played it for about a month straight. You will not beat me.” Cause: “I don’t have a specific charity. But I’ve played hundreds and hundreds of benefits over the years. I plan on continuing to do that. With this exposure I hope I can bring in even more fundraising for whatever events come up. It’s important because I have something. In a community when they need help with something, if there’s a carpenter he’s going to help. If there’s a plumber, fireman, police officer. I just happened to be the guy in the community that plays music. If I can provide that for them to gain some money on or anything they need, then that’s my role.”
THE VOICE -- "Live Top 10 Results" Episode 1517B -- Pictured: (l-r) Kennedy Holmes, Jennifer Hudson, Makenzie Thomas -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
Kennedy Holmes Age: 13 Hometown & Resides In: St. Louis, Missouri Fun Fact: “I love Marilyn Manson. I also have a birth mark under my lip and people think I’ve been biting my lip but no, it’s a birth mark.” Cause: “Annually I sing at this event called Thrive St. Louis. Their main goal is to provide for pregnant women so they can keep their child. It makes me teary to hear these women’s stories. They always want to keep their child, but at the time they’re not financially stable. So they’re not in a place to do so. Or they don’t have anyone to lean on for support. The organization is amazing and provides for them.”
MaKenzie Thomas Age: 21 Hometown & Resides In: Wallingford, Kentucky Fun Fact: “I’m a hard core metal head. I love heavy metal music. I absolutely adore it. My dad was a drummer, so I grew up listening to it. While I probably wouldn’t perform it because it’s not quite what my voice is made for, I definitely listen to it all the time.” Cause: “Every year I sing for this event called Relay for Life. It’s a big walk we do to support cancer survivors and people that are going through cancer currently. Not only does it raise money, but it brings awareness. It’s also an outlet for me to continue to minister.”
THE VOICE -- "Live Top 10 Results" Episode 1517B -- Pictured: (l-r) Chevel Shepherd, Kelly Clarkson, Kymberli Joye, Sarah Grace -- (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)
Chevel Shepherd Age: 16 Hometown: La Plata, New Mexico Resides In: Farmington, New Mexico Fun Fact: “I have a pair of lucky socks that I wear onstage and I am wearing them right now. They are mismatched music note socks. I have a black one and I have a white one. I wear the right one on my left foot and the black one on my right foot. It is something I wear on stage every time I perform. I feel without them I am not going to perform my best. That is my good luck charm. I haven’t washed them because I feel as if the luck is going to wash away. They don’t stink though, I promise.” Cause: “Hustle Kindness. It’s in my town and they help kids with autism. I got to do a meet and greet in their facility in downtown Farmington. I would love to do more of that. The kids are just like us. I want to give back to the kids who don’t get as many opportunities as we do. Or get viewed as differently even though they’re the same as us. I’d really like to give back to those kids.”
Kymberli Joye Age: 27 Hometown & Resides In: Windsor, Connecticut Fun Fact: “I’m an amateur photographer.” Cause: “I’ve dealt for a long time with depression and anxiety. So I’ve decided to use my platform on “The Voice” to bring a face to these issues. So many people deal with it in the music industry. I want to let people know they’re not alone. It’s okay to talk to somebody and get some help. Therapy is not a bad thing. Depression and anxiety doesn’t mean you’re crazy. It’s something that we all have to work through and get through. You don’t have to do it by yourself.”
Sarah Grace Age: 16 Hometown & Resides In: Houston, Texas Fun Fact: “I have been singing my whole life and I picked up trumpet in the sixth grade, and I have been blessed to have both of those outlets. I have been able to take things I learned with my voice and move them to trumpet and I have been able to take things that I learned on the trumpet and move to my voice. The more technical side of my singing, I have learned from my trumpet. I never had a vocal lesson until I had a vocal lesson with Kelly Clarkson. I used to be a swimmer and water polo player so don’t mess with me!” Cause: “I work with a group called United By Music North America. They teach special needs adults to play the blues. I’ve worked with them for about a year now and I love their cause. I love all of the people who work for them. It’s such an amazing community doing the right thing.