What started as a plan for a sweet 16 birthday party led a local teen on a two-year journey to discover what it means to help someone else.

Tori Pimentel, now a senior at Southlake Carroll High School, had the opportunity to plan the party of her dreams in 2011.

Before moving forward with her plans, however, she said she stepped back and thought of the military men and women overseas and the state of the economy.

She told her mother, Mona Burk, that she would rather spend her 16th birthday doing something worthwhile for someone else.

"I decided I wanted to help U.S. soldiers," she said. "They are the true heroes of America and the reason I was able to have a sweet 16 party."

She set a goal to raise $16,000, and she formed Operation Sweet 16, which is now a certified nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.

Two years later, after dozens of fundraising efforts and support from local businesses in the Southlake area, Frisco and Plano, Pimentel has raised a total of $24,000.

Fundraising

With the backing of her mother, Pimentel in 2011 began fundraising efforts by building a website and having T-shirts made to support the cause. With the help of friends, she organized spirit night efforts at Chick-fil-A and Jason's Deli, talking to customers, promoting awareness of Operation Sweet 16 and raising money.

A large portion of her fundraising took place through a partnership with Stacy Schuch, who at the time served as the marketing director for Stonebriar Centre.

Schuch said when she met Pimentel, she knew she was a unique young lady, who was only 15 and wanted to make a difference.

Through that connection, Pimentel held a fashion show fundraiser at Stonebriar Centre.

She and her fellow classmates were allowed to decorate mall displays, and their artwork was featured in a fundraiser auction.

Schuch continued to provide other opportunities to Pimentel at Stonebriar Centre and stayed in touch with Pimental when she took a new position with the Shops at Legacy in Plano.

Pimentel has been featured on window artwork in the Shops, and Schuch arranged for Pimentel to give away her check at the Lights at Legacy tree lighting ceremony Nov. 10.

She will present a $20,000 check to Homes for our Troops, a national organization that supports soldiers who have returned from duty with disabilities or injuries by building housing for them and their families.

"She is a neat young lady, and I'm glad I can be a part of her journey," Schuch said.

The future of operation Sweet 16

Although she is presenting her fundraising efforts and will graduate high school next year and attend college, Pimentel said Operation Sweet 16 is not over.

She is moving on to what she calls the second phase of the effort.

Pimental is encouraging others to give up a birthday party—any birthday party, not just sweet 16—and organize an event to raise money to continue Operation Sweet 16.

"It can be any community service project, from a bake sale to a car wash," she said.

Pimentel also continues to seek out partnerships with retailers to continue her cause.

Operation Sweet 16

• Check presentation to Homes for our Troops
• 6: 30 p.m., Shops at Legacy, 7161 Bishop Road (near Jaspers), Plano
• www.operationsweet16.org
• Follow Operation Sweet 16 on Facebook and Twitter (OpSweet16)