It’s not often a 15-year-old genuinely takes an interest in helping his community.

For Eastlake High School freshman Tyler Zangaglia, it comes naturally.

Zangaglia was awarded Youth of the Year at the Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club and represented his club during the King County Youth of the Year event Feb. 12.

He was named county runner-up for his community efforts and leadership roles at school and within the Redmond/Sammamish club.

He is the president of his freshman class, sits on the Lake Washington School District’s anti-bullying committee and is a Boys & Girls Keystone leadership member.

He is involved in the Sammamish Nourishing Network and its efforts to create a healthier community. In middle school he and his teacher created the Random Acts of Kindness Club.

Along with two Eastlake seniors, he ran the 2014 Harvest Festival and helped 1,000 low-income families last fall.

Zangaglia says the time commitment to be involved in whatever way he can is worth it.

The 2014 Harvest Festival, for example, was about much more than providing low-income families with food, books, toys and new or used clothing.

“A different aspect of this is making sure they know they’re cared for,” he said.

Zangaglia promotes a way of life an advocate for kindness.

Kindness, he explains in an essay submitted to the King County Youth of the Year panel, is more than being considerate.

It is a way to show respect, he wrote. He maintains that kindness can change someone’s life.

Working the festival, Zangaglia was taken aback at the impact poverty can have in a person’s life, especially looking at children.

Volunteering his time to co-organizer the Harvest Festival opened Zangaglia’s eyes.

He wants to end youth poverty in America and says the first step to achieving his goal is building relationships.

“It seems so simple, making a connection,” he said.

Zangaglia’s mother, Deslie, said he’s always been compassionate and aware of others.

“It’s really part of his nature,” she said.

She said joining the Boys & Girls Club four years ago really encouraged Tyler to blossom.

“We’ve always been surprised of how much he’s been able to accomplish at 15,” she said. “I have seen a tremendous amount of maturity in him. … The Teen Center helped in so many ways.”

Tyler Zangaglia “grew up” with the Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club. He was part of the first wave of students to enter its doors, in 2011.

Redmond/Sammamish Boys & Girls Club Program Director Jamie Heil couldn’t have been more proud of Zangaglia.

“Tyler has found his calling,” Heil said.

For several years she has watched Zangaglia mentor club members and take the initiative to be involved in his community.

“Over the past three years, Tyler has stood head and shoulders above his peers in leadership and character,” she wrote in her Youth of the Year recommendation letter to the county club.

Zangaglia maintained a 4.0 GPA last term, while competing for Youth of the Year and running the Harvest Festival.

He visits the Boys & Girls Club at least once a week.