HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Altruism can be found in people of all sizes and ages.
Take the Ratzan siblings. Molly is 8 years old and her brother, Joey, is 7.
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The two grade-schoolers came up with the idea to collect and donate school supplies to kids living at Chapman Partnership in Homestead, which provides temporary housing and services to help families overcome homelessness.
Molly and Joey enlisted the help of their parents.
They personally approached family and friends, and word spread on social media.
People opened their hearts and wallets to the cause. In a few weeks, the philanthropic duo had collected more than $1,000.
“I feel bad that some children don’t get what they need to start school,” said Molly. “It made me really happy to give them school supplies so they can start their year with what they need.”
Molly and her brother went shopping to choose what they wanted to give. Notebooks, pencils, scissors and every available school essential filled multiple shopping carts. The siblings sorted and organized all the items in their family room. Once they were done, they arranged for the Chapman Partnership van to pick up all the boxed supplies.
“We help because we want them to feel happy and have a happy life,” added Molly.
This is not the first time the siblings have collaborated for charity. Last September, they donated 110 brand-new pillows to Chapman Partnership. A then 6-year-old Joey vowed to do more. With his sister’s support, he made good on that promise.
“Chapman Partnership is a place for people who don’t have a home,” said Joey. “It’s important to help them.”
What will the Ratzan siblings do next?
It’s unclear for right now, but this journalist is confident it will require many more shopping carts.
Credit to their parents, Jacob and Sara, for raising two strong goodwill ambassadors.