Caroline Wells (left) is pictured with voice actor Rihanna (center) at last week's event in Plano. (FocusInOn.Me photo by Susan Wells)

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A young girl from Tyler was recently named the runner up in DreamWorks Animations and Good Morning America’s “Bring Home to your Hometown” contest.

Caroline Wells, an 11-year-old All Saints Episcopal School student, submitted a short video to the studio’s contest and was selected to attend the red carpet premiere of the movie “Home” at the Cinemark West in Plano on Tuesday, March 17.

Wells’ winning video was a simple statement about helping the homeless and disadvantaged who she serves while volunteering at Tyler’s Salvation Army.

“We said we wanted to help them find their way back home,” Caroline said.

The biggest surprise of her star-studded treatment came when DreamWorks presented her with a check for $5,000 to benefit the Salvation Army of Tyler

Since a trip to the Salvation Army in the third grade, Caroline has passionately volunteered in any way she can. Since last November, she has raised over $13,000 for the Salvation Army.

“She looked at me and asked, ‘When do they get to go home?'” Caroline’s mother Susan Wells said. Mrs. Wells then explained that this was their home for now and that’s when Caroline decided to get involved.

In addition to receiving the donation for the Salvation Army and meeting movie voice actors Rihanna and Jim Parsons, who Caroline says is one of her favorite actors, DreamWorks is also going to be throwing a movie premiere for children and families staying at the Salvation Army.

The premier will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 in Tyler at Carmike 14 on South Broadway. DreamWorks will set up a red carpet and cutouts for the kids to take photos with.

“Thinking outside yourself always makes you more content,” Mrs. Wells said. “God cares about the big thing and the little things.”

To view more of Caroline’s videos about the Salvation Army, visit https://twitter.com/swells1015 .

Twitter: @TMT_Cory