Two separate sets of teenage boys raised a total of $619.87 for local children with special needs as part of a service project through Old Mission School.
Daniel Qenani, 14, and Blake Gavin, 14, both went door-to-door in their neighborhoods asking for donations for Jack’s Helping Hand, a local nonprofit that helps children with special needs and their families. Meanwhile, Cade VanAllen, 13, and Brayden Farr, 13, collected bottles and cans for several months to raise funds for the nonprofit organization.
“We couldn’t be more proud of these young boys for taking the initiative to go out of their way to help Jack’s Helping Hand,” said Karen Borges, Jack’s Helping Hand executive director. “The funds raised will go directly to helping local families of children with special needs.”
One of every 10 children in San Luis Obispo County has special needs, with physical disabilities or rare medical conditions, caused by illness like cancer, injury or a birth defect. Since 2004, gifts to Jack’s Helping Hand have helped many of these children and their families with medical, travel and lodging expenses, as well as resources, therapy, specialized equipment and more. Anyone can support Jack’s Helping Hand through donations, business sponsorships, group donations, classroom fundraising projects, or volunteering their time.
As part of Old Mission School’s seventh grade curriculum, students are required to donate 20 hours of service to a cause of their choice. Qenani and Gavin raised a total of $110, while VanAllen and Farr raised $509.87, all to support Jack’s Helping Hand this year.
For ways to support Jack’s Helping Hand or more information about the organization, visit www.jackshelpinghand.org.