Jackie Conley
Eight-year-olds Elizabeth Hakes and Danielle Lynch prove that even
the smallest hearts can help in a big way when they opened up a stand
to sell Kool-Aid nearly a month ago to raise money for ailing
children.
"They like to help people," said Michelle Lynch, Danielle's
mother. "I'm not sure how long they'll be selling drinks, but I can
picture them always doing something to get involved in society."
The girls, who attend Monte Vista Elementary School, were inspired
to help Childrens Hospital Los Angeles after learning of a girl their
age who had leukemia. Although they never met, Elizabeth corresponded
with Rylie, 6, through letters, until Rylie lost her battle with the
disease and died at the hospital.
They started with a goal of raising $500 for Childrens Hospital,
but to date have raised more than $1,200.
"They don't really get to go out and play, so I just want [the
children] to be happy," Elizabeth said.
The girls were so thrilled with the money they raised, they wanted
to donate the entire amount to Childrens Hospital, Lynch said.
This selfless act gained the girls media attention and they
received a thank you letter from Walter W. Noce Jr., the president
and CEO of the Childrens Hospital.
"The kids at Childrens Hospital are very brave and have the best
doctors and nurses to take care of them," Noce Jr. said in a letter
he sent to them more than a week ago. The letter goes on to read,
"But sometimes the best thing is knowing there are other kids who are
thinking about them."
The hospital is planning a ceremony to receive the money and honor
the two girls. Danielle said she's looking forward to the visit so
she can read stories to the children.
"Kids show remarkable acts when it comes to giving," said Steve
Rutledge, a Childrens Hospital spokesman. "It doesn't happen a lot,
but it happens."
Rutledge added that this isn't the first time children have helped
to raise money for the patients at the hospital.
"I want the hospital to buy toys, teddy bears, shirts, clothes and
Halloween costumes for [the kids]," Danielle said.
The Kool-Aid stand closed Friday, but the girls are still taking
donations by mail and phone. Danielle said she doesn't know when
they'll have another lemonade stand, but she plans to do more for the
community.
"I want to go to the beach and pick up trash for the world," she
said.
