FALL RIVER: Two Fall River youngsters are showing the true spirit of generosity in the wake of the devastation in Haiti.
Hannah Scallion and friend Stephanie Mattie are pitching in to do their part to raise money for the relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti. The two are selling marble buddies, little animals made of clay and marbles, and they even have them on sale at Bhavana Yoga Boutique, on Quinpool Road in Halifax.
Hannah says they came up with the idea because they saw the news and felt they needed to do their own fundraising. To date, the girls and their little critters have raised more than $100 for the cause since starting the sales Jan. 30.
“We’re doing this to help the people in Haiti,” Stephanie said. “We were originally going to do it for Cancer research, but then we heard about the earthquake in Haiti, so we decided we’d go and raise money for them because they need it more.”
The variety of marble buddies they have created range from animals like pigs, cats, dogs, ducks, to flowers.
Hannah, 12, said the main reason they felt the need to do their part was because if they were in the shoes of those in Haiti, they would want people to help them. The two are using their own money to purchase the items needed to create the marble critters.
“If we were in Haiti, what would we feel like if we had to go through that, live in tents and get very little food, if we even got food?” Hannah said.
With daily newscasts on the aftermath of the destruction in that country, both agree that motivates them more to do what they can.
“If we were in their position, I know I would want help from other countries,” Stephanie, 11, said.
The two Ash Lee Jefferson Elementary School students said fellow students and teachers are very supportive of their efforts.
“The feedback has been really good,” Hannah said. “I think people here saw that those in Haiti needed help so we did what we could.”
Hannah had realistic goals for sales, hoping they would sell maybe two a day.
“We’re thinking it will be quite good,” she added.
Hannah’s mom, Christina, feels very proud of her daughter and her friend.
“I’m thrilled with the initiative,” Christina said. “It’s great to see that at their young age, they aren’t just thinking of helping out locally but have a grasp to help out on a global level in a tragedy like this.”
People are encouraged to visit Bhavana Yoga Boutique in Halifax to purchase the marble buddies and support the two young girls and their endeavour to help out those in Haiti.
phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com