How Passions Can Support Giving
This article explores how Andi Sklar's passionate involvement has created a ripple effect of positive change, showing how personal passion can lead to powerful giving and tangible community impact.
When people speak about giving, they often mention money or resources. But Andi Sklar brings something more—her passion. Her involvement is never surface-level. She dives deep into every project she touches, working from the heart. Her efforts are personal, and that personal connection makes all the difference.
From local events in Westport to fundraising campaigns that span the state, she's not just present—she's active, enthusiastic, and involved at every level. Whether it's helping a family find the support they need or backing crucial medical research, Andi Sklar brings a warmth that makes others want to join her mission.
Before Andi Sklar became a household name in Westport's charitable circles, she found early inspiration in the powerful mission of Jacob's Cure, a New York City-based organization focused on helping children with Canavan disease. Seeing firsthand how love and advocacy could create life-saving outcomes changed her path forever.
Jacob's Cure taught her something essential: change doesn't always start big. It begins with one voice, one heart, and one idea. That experience became her foundation for building community support, understanding the importance of health research, and ensuring every child has a chance to thrive.
In Westport and surrounding areas, families know they can count on Andi Sklar. Her programs are not just band-aid solutions—they're about long-term care, planning, and results. She works closely with local nonprofits to develop wellness projects, educational opportunities, and support networks for children and their parents.
Her work covers everything from hosting community events to partnering with researchers who develop new treatments for childhood illnesses. She believes in building futures, not just solving today's problems. Her focus is to create an environment where kids feel safe, supported, and empowered.
Andi Sklar doesn't work alone. A strong part of her philosophy is collaboration. She believes that a united community can solve even the hardest problems. In Westport, she brings together local leaders, medical professionals, teachers, and parents to ensure that help reaches those who need it most.
She also encourages young people to get involved. By guiding the next generation to care about their neighbors, she plants seeds of kindness that will grow for years to come. Because of her leadership, local residents don't just admire her—they follow her example
Health has always been one of Andi Sklar's top priorities. Whether it's funding local health programs or supporting national research, she believes in preventing illness and promoting wellness at every age. Her partnerships with healthcare organizations provide real benefits for the people of Westport.
She also supports research that looks beyond short-term fixes. From children with rare diseases to families struggling with access to care, her efforts aim to create real solutions backed by science. By blending heart with research, Andi Sklar leads a movement that's both emotional and effective.
Another part of Andi Sklar's success is her focus on education. She believes that knowledge is power, and when people understand the issues facing their community, they are more likely to take action. That's why she works so hard to raise awareness about childhood health, research funding, and family support systems.
She often speaks at local schools and events, sharing her journey and encouraging others to find their passion. These talks spark hope and remind others that anyone, no matter their background, can become a giver and a doer.
Because of her hands-on approach, Andi Sklar is more than a role model—she's a mentor. Young people in Westport see how she turns passion into progress, and they want to do the same. By showing that care and consistency can build a better world, she inspires the next wave of changemakers.
Whether it's students organizing food drives or teens starting support groups, her influence is everywhere. She plants the idea that doing good isn't just nice—it's necessary.
Some people think that one person can't make much of a difference, but Andi Sklar proves that idea wrong every single day. She doesn't wait for perfect conditions or government support—she steps in and starts helping.
Her actions show that passion combined with effort leads to real results. The children who smile because of her programs, the families who find support because of her outreach, and the researchers who continue their work because of her funding all prove that one person truly can create change.
Who is Andi Sklar and what is she known for?
Andi Sklar is a Westport, CT-based community advocate known for supporting children's health, family well-being, and medical research through active community programs.
How did Andi Sklar get started in community work?
She was inspired by her early involvement with Jacob's Cure, a nonprofit in New York City, and decided to bring the same dedication to her hometown's causes.
What areas does Andi Sklar focus her giving on?
She focuses on children's health, wellness initiatives, research support, and creating educational awareness in her local community.
How can others support Andi Sklar's mission?
People can volunteer, donate to the causes she supports, or attend local events that align with her advocacy work.
Why is Andi Sklar's story important today?
Her story reminds us that real change begins with individual action. It encourages others to find their passion and use it to give back meaningfully.
In a world where many talk about helping, Andi Sklar stands out because she actually does it. Her legacy is written in the lives she has touched, the programs she has built, and the hope she spreads every day.
Giving isn't just about money—it's about heart, focus, and follow-through. And Andi Sklar shows us how passions can guide our giving in the most beautiful, powerful ways.
If you ever doubt that one person can change the world, look at Andi Sklar. Then start looking for your own way to give.
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Her clients referred to her as their "trainer" and code-named their procedures as "workouts." Gigi said, "It's something that I seriously, seriously regret. They can have major health effects. They can kill you. There are just so many scary things that can happen with them, and thank God that I'm alive and able to tell my story and warn people." She traveled from Canada to NYC, where she and her friend met Lisa in a hotel room. Gigi regretted not saying something when things started to feel shady — particularly when her friend brought her own silicone. Lisa brought Gigi's silicone in a water bottle, and there was "no rhyme or reason" to the way she injected. Gigi described the process as a "weird pain" she'd never felt before. Lisa closed the holes with Super Glue and Band-Aids. Gigi continued, "We went to a cafeteria, and I remember we were at a table with a bunch of friends. And I went to the bathroom... I remember pulling up my skirt and going pee, and I was like, 'What did I just do?' I think the reality had kinda set in, and I was like, 'This is so weird. This is crazy.' I was like, 'I am not this girl. Like, I think I just made a huge mistake.' So then, I proceeded to take all the Band-Aids off, rub all the Krazy Glue off of my skin, and start squeezing the silicone out. And it's going all down the seat, all down the toilet, on the floor...I could see the product coming out of me on the floor." Later that night, Gigi noticed she had a lot of scabs and feared she'd be left with scars because of her "mistake." However, the scabs fell off the next morning "as if nothing ever even happened." She said, "I literally swore to myself that morning that I would never ever ever dabble in any of that again." However, when work took her back to New York, she "fell back into" attending Lisa's pumping parties. She ended up with a "fucking huge" lump on her right thigh, which is when she finally decided to stop going to Lisa. She said, "I think the risks overweigh the benefits tenfold." When DreamDoll was 20, she traveled to Colombia for her first BBL. However, it later wore off. In 2023, she told NPR, "So I went the illegal route, and it was not the best decision. I do not recommend getting butt shots. Please don't ever do it. It is so painful. It feels like you got ran off by a truck." She ended up in the hospital. She continued, "[The pain was] a hundred. Whatever the highest number you could put, it's the highest number. Like, during the pain, I couldn't take the pain. And I was, like, getting fevers, and I'd be in a hospital. And nobody didn't know what was wrong with me, you know, 'cause I was — I didn't feel comfortable telling them I did that... So I just tried to find somebody to take it out, and they were like, that was the problem. You know, it's a foreign object, so you got to remove it one day." To help other young women, she vlogged the entire process of getting her illegal injections removed and replacing them with a new BBL. In 2024, reality star Lauren Wood told Truly, "I got illegal injections when I was 18, and I regret it so much... I would like to reverse my illegal butt shots. I'm starting to have complications. When I first got the illegal butt shots, I was nervous because this isn't a doctor. You know, it's, like, very much black market, hush hush. You lay down on the table, and they start injecting your butt. At the end of the day, we don't know what it is that they're truly injecting. The side effects of my illegal injections is some slight discoloration, pain, and random tingling in my legs, numbness. I'm worried that, if I don't get the injections removed that they'll continue to deteriorate. You just don't know what will happen. My message to girls who are looking to do the same procedure is don't do it. It's illegal for a reason, and it's just not worth it." In 2023, Christina Ashten Gourkani, who gained fame as a Kim Kardashian lookalike and OnlyFans creator, hired unlicensed cosmetologist Vivian Gomez to fly across the country and administer illegal butt injection in a California hotel room. Sadly, as a result of the procedure, Christina died the next day. Vivian was charged with felony involuntary manslaughter. She was also charged with practicing medicine without a license, resulting in death. Her trial date is set for November 2025. Dr. Lisa Hwang, who's a licensed plastic surgeon, told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that there is no correct way to administer the free-floating gel used in such injections, making it risky. She also highlighted the importance of finding a certified practitioner and having a consultation. She said, "There are very specific boards, so a lot of times people will say board certified, but it's actually really important you look into which board." In 2015, Zonnique got her eye color surgically changed (like her mother, Tiny Harris, previously did). She got the procedure done in Tunisia because it hasn't been FDA-approved in the US. Zonnique told Mosaique FM, "After surgery, I couldn't see my eyes, but this morning, I got to, and I really loved them, and I thought they looked pretty." However, on a 2018 episode of T.I. & Tiny: Family & Friends Hustle, she revealed that she'd been experiencing eye pressure. She said, "It's been a week since I got my surgery, and I took the eye implants out so that I wouldn't have any permanent damage. When I first found out how serious the situation was, I was so emotional. It's really not something that I wanna go through again." Later, when an Instagram commenter asked her about the surgery, she reportedly said, "I've never liked to recommend anyone to do it. I can say that the experience wasn't the best in the long term but everyone is different." In 2024, the American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning against eye color-changing surgery. Complications could potentially include injury to the cornea, inflammation, light sensitivity, increased eye pressure leading to glaucoma, cataracts, reduced vision, and blindness. Priscilla Presley was a victim of Daniel Tomas Fuente Serrano, who wasn't licensed to practice in the US. According to the Guardian, he made himself a millionaire by promising to help his wealthy clients "permanently" erase their wrinkles. However, the injectables he used were actually industrial-grade silicone (the kind used to lubricate car parts) and medical silicone that was only approved for certain eye procedures. He smuggled the silicone from Argentina, used an unclean table and bottles, and didn't wear gloves. In 2006, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison. In a 2008 statement, Priscilla's representative said, "Priscilla Presley was one of many documented victims of Dr. [Daniel] Serrano. An investigation which uncovered his misconduct ultimately lead to his imprisonment. Ms. Presley dealt with this matter years ago, and everything is well." Actor Shawn King, Larry King's wife at the time, was also a victim of Daniel Serrano. According to the LA Times, in 2003, she paid him $7,000 in cash for the injections, which he gave her at her house. However, her lower lip was damaged, and the injections left a "displeasing hard bump" behind. She had difficulties speaking and drinking liquids. In 2007, Shawn told the Washington Post, "I got a letter saying when he was going to be arraigned, and wish I would have gone back and just said, 'Daniel, tell me what you put in my face so I know what I'm living with the rest of my life.' I have two small children, and I'd like to know what I'm in for." According to the LA Times, Diane Richie, Lionel Richie's ex-wife, was another client and victim of Daniel Serrano. However, the Washington Post later reported that she was also his girlfriend, and she was arrested for allegedly referring clients to him and letting him administer the illegal injections in her bathroom. And finally, over the course of ten months in 2005, actor and activist Rajee Narinesingh paid Oneal Ron Morris — who was unlicensed — $3,000 for illegal injections that turned out to be a mixture of Fix-A-Flat and cement. She told Barcroft TV, "I got injections in my face, my breast, and my hips, and my buttocks... Initially, I was fine. But then the nightmare started... My message to anyone that would consider doing what I did is not to do it. Don't do it, because you could die from it, or you could end up like me, disfigured." However, on a friend's recommendation, she sought help from plastic surgeon Dr. John Martin, who worked with her to remove the injections. The process was documented on Botched Seasn 3. In 2013, Oneal Ron Morris was sentenced to 366 days in prison for practicing healthcare without a license. Then, in 2017, she was sentenced to another ten years in prison for administering illegal injections as well as a manslaughter charge for a procedure that led to a woman's death.
