Pennies from heaven.
For 10-year-old Angel McRae, that’s how she and her fellow students at Hawthorne Elementary School raised more than $300–a penny at a time–for local families impacted by catastrophic home fires.
“It was something I felt like I needed to do,” McRae, a fourth grade student, said. “I’m a Christian and God told me in my heart that I needed to do this.”
McRae’s faith message came three months ago. Angel attends the Assembly of God Church with her parents, Radine and Mark McRae.
“I talked with Mrs. Middleman (school principal) and Miss Rudisill (her teacher)” McRae said of how she started the pennies rolling. “They both thought it was a great idea.”
Other teachers and volunteers also caught Angels’ spirit of servitude and helped her put out buckets in the classrooms.
“I checked on the buckets every month,” McRae said. “I was very pleased with how much we collected.”
She was especially pleased with the combined first and second grade classroom which raised some $126.
Local merchants were so taken by Angel’s efforts that they have donated prizes for the top three classrooms.
Mr. Long’s first place class will receive a pizza and ice cream soda party. The second place classroom gets root bear floats and third place students will enjoy cookies and punch.
To enhance the $315 raised by the students, Wal-Mart will add another $200 bringing the grand total to more than $500.
The thought brings a big smile to Angel’s face.
“I just like to help other people,” she said.
Angels’ mom, Radine, said she is justifiably proud of her daughter.
“She came up with the idea all by herself,” she said. “She had seen projects on TV where people helped others and decided the fire station would be a good place to start. She gave up a lot of her recess time and worked after school to set up the buckets.”
“I just praise God that everything worked out so well,” Angel said.
Fire Chief Mike Beaver surprised the young volunteer Friday morning during the school awards assembly when he presented her with a certificate of appreciation from the fire department.
“Our volunteers donated money to the burn out fund, so it’s something we take special interest in,” Chief Beaver said. “Angel has done a great job on behalf of this project.”
He added that he was extremely proud of her caring and follow through on this effort.