There are many things that need saving in this turbulent world of ours: the rain forest, the children, the date Kristin Cavallari's debut book drops 482 days from now, etc. But in 2008, Kristin discovered something equally precious that must be preserved: Ellis Island. "Help us save Ellis Island," she pleads, in the promotional video for the Save Ellis Island Foundation below.

Why Ellis Island? What does Ellis Island mean to Kristin, personally? "Allis Ahllin to me means...[heaving sigh]...Courage. Um...The fact that so many friends, grandparins, parins could come to this foreign country not having anything, or knowing the language or anything, is—is really courageous."

Kristin has heard the famous stories of wave after wave of friends coming to Ellis Island to start new cliques in America. Kristin has been moved.

She continues:

I guess being an American means, y'know, having a lot of freedom, and being able to do...and say how I feel and what I want! My family definitely you know, always told me to follow me dreams and to really be myself and not let anyone stand in my way. And that—that comes back to Ellis Island, because you know my grandparents came over here and followed their dreams, and did what they wanted to do, and they were successful at it.

Ellis Island means following your dreams, even if someone is standing in your way. Ellis Island means doing what you want, even if Audrina dated Justin first. Ellis Island means you did what you wanted to do, and you were successful at it. Ellis Island means U FUCKED WITH THE WRONG GIRL, DUDE.

Save Ellis Island.

This has been 500 Days of Kristin.

[Photo via Getty]