The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Helping hand
Student raises money for needy
By Sue G. Collins, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 31, 2008
Isabel Cross saved her pennies all year long and asked friends and relatives to pitch in where they could to support her charity project for families in Guatemala, her birth country.
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The Saline third-grader wasn't sure how she could help, but was absolutely determined to tally her coins to do something worthwhile for her world.
When a mass-mailed brochure arrived at the Cross house before Christmas from Heifer International, a charity fighting hunger worldwide, her mother, Roxanne Cross, said the message was, "divine intervention."
"Plus, Isabel had just learned about the Heifer projects in Sunday school and we discovered that Guatemala was one of the countries Heifer serves. It was the answer," said the proud mother.
Isabel graced Roxanne's life eight years ago when she was adopted and brought to Saline from Guatemala. The two recently have been talking about Isabel's birth country and how very different life must be like there for families and girls her age.
"I know the moms carry baskets of food on their head and they make their own clothes," said Isabel, a student at Woodland Meadows Elementary. "I wanted to do something that would help the families and kids."
The Crosses e-mailed members of their church, Shalom Community Church in Ann Arbor, and shared the goals with supportive grandparents and relatives.
"One lady at church gave Isabel a check for $25 and she brought it to me to ask if she should give it back thinking it was way too much to donate," said Roxanne Cross. "I explained people give what they are able. Then, the project took on a life of its own and people were so glad to help."
Isabel and her mom took the change, bills and checks to United Bank and Trust in Saline, where they were given a tour of the bank while the change was counted. The money tallied $1,230.
Through Heifer International, Isabel decided to send rabbits to Guatemalan families. Her fund-raising paid for 20 trios of rabbits that will help impoverished families better their lives.
Rabbits are easy to care for, eat simple foods and produce manure that can be applied directly on gardens without composting.
The gift will help families increase their protein intake and income as they are able to sell the quick-to-reproduce animals.
"It really wasn't that hard to raise the money," Isabel said.
The child's mother said Isabel was never once tempted to spend the savings on herself.
"What a thoughtful young girl," said Sally Straub, who works at the University of Michigan Cancer Center with Roxanne Cross. "I think it's just amazing that Isabel was thinking outside the box -- thinking about others."
Last weekend, the Crosses celebrated, "Gotcha Day," commemorating the day Roxanne "got" baby Gloria, named her Isabel and introduced her to friends and family.
The thoughtful girl will celebrate her ninth birthday April 5. Will she embark on another project sometime soon?
"I might. It wasn't that hard at all. I thought it was fun," she said.
Do you know an amazing kid or admirable adult who has done something wonderful for their world? E-mail mrogers@heritage.com and let us share their story.
Staff Writer Sue G. Collins can be reached at 429-7380 or scollins@heritage.com.
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