One Young Resident’s Thoughtfulness

Will Make Other Children Feel Better

By Shannon Hicks

For anyone who ever questions whether or not children learn by example, one only needs to look at Angella Kousidis.

The 7-year-old daughter of Ari and Paige Kousidis recently took the time to collect donations that amounted to $200, which she then turned around and used to buy items on the wish list of the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut.

“I like helping sick kids and my mom has helped them before, so that’s what I decided to do,” said Angella, who is in second grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Angella got the idea to do something for the home away from home for families of seriously ill children while spending time with her mother during a trade show last fall. Paige Kousidis works for American Rental, and part of the company’s booth was dedicated to helping others. Visitors to the booth were given red rubber bracelets with the words “Give Back 2008” in exchange for a donation. For each donation visitors were also given a poker chip and were asked to place their chip in any one of six jugs, with each jug designated for different nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Watching this for a few days, the wheels began to turn in young Angella’s head. When the trade show was over a number of the red bracelets remained, so she asked if she could have them. Angella had decided to run her own fundraiser, and when she was given permission to do so, she began asking friends and family if they would like to make a donation for her effort.

Her reasoning for doing any of this was simple. “The Ronald McDonald House helps sick kids,” Angella said very matter-of-factly.

“Our friends and family were so wonderful with this,” said Paige Kousidis. “It took a little while for her the raise as much as she did, but everyone was wonderful.”

Once Angella’s supply of red bracelets was exhausted she decided to purchase specific items that she knew would be appreciated by kids and families at Ronald McDonald House. Located in New Haven, the Connecticut House has been in operation since May 10, 1985. It is the only Ronald McDonald house in the state and has served families from 125 different Connecticut communities, 43 states, and 36 countries since it opened its doors 24 years ago this spring.

In February, Angella and her mother went to New Haven, where they delivered laundry detergent, paper towels, paper plates, batteries, and nonperishable snacks.

Angella and Paige received a letter earlier this month from Janet E. Hanscom, the director of house operations for Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, thanking them for their “very generous donation … valued at over $200. Your personal care and compassion exemplified the awesome support that this House thrives on.

“Because of your support, we are able to continue our mission of service to families who are undergoing tremendous stress, anxiety and upheaval,” Ms Hanscom’s letter continued. “They find the Ronald McDonald House to be a peaceful oasis where they receive care, comfort and support from volunteers, staff and other families.”

Ms Hanscom concluded her letter with “appreciation for your generosity that words alone cannot express.”

Doing good for others runs in the Kousidis family. Last year Angella’s brother Yanni received money in lieu of gifts for his eighth birthday, and then turned around and donated all of that money to Ronald McDonald House.

“We’ve helped Ronald McDonald House before,” said Paige Kousidis. “I have a soft spot in my heart for them. A few years ago my husband and I baptized our goddaughter and she got very sick. Her parents never used Ronald McDonald House because they live close enough to Yale to not need to stay there, but we learned how hard it can be on parents and families to be near a child during that experience. Since then I’ve often thought of that house and have tried to help them.”

When asked if she thinks she’ll ever do something like this again, Angella offered an emphatic “Yes!”

“She knows she’s doing something good,” Paige Kousidis said, sounding understandably proud. “Her friends think what she did is kind of awesome, and I know for sure that the kids at the Ronald McDonald House thinks it’s awesome. She has a very generous heart.”