Every Little Bit Helps

By Tanjua Damon

Many feel compelled to doing something to help volunteers who are helping with the rescue efforts in New York City as well as the families who have lost someone – children included.

Newtown students Jennifer Smith, and Maggie and Katherine Donohue decided to sell candy to raise money to help those directly affected by the September 11 tragedy. The girls raised $450, but will be donating $900 thanks to an IBM Matching Grant program. Jennifer’s father works for IBM.

The three girls are all good friends and worked on their streets to sell candy and drinks to collect money. Jennifer spent time on her day off from school last week selling on her street from noon to 3 pm. She collected $145.

“I wanted to help the families,” Jennifer said. “I just really wanted to help them because it’s important.”

Sisters Maggie and Katherine had the same feelings and gathered their neighborhood friends to help sell candy and drinks to passersby. They collected $147.39 on Monday, September 17, from 3 to 5 pm.

“To help all the people who lost their families or lost their money and apartments that caught on fire,” Katherine said.

“For the kids who lost their moms and dads,” Maggie added, “and the firefighters.”

The girls sold more items over the weekend to help increase their donation to $450. Plus another $450 from IBM thanks to the matching grant program for employees.