8-year-old discovers sweet way to raise money for Sandy victims | Children

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – After watching NBC’s telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy, eight-year-old Rileigh Pedersen wanted to help out in her own way.

She and her younger brother Connor set up a home-made cookie stand in their neighborhood in Wilmington and encouraged neighbors to donate what they could. They raised $208.

“We are proud of Rileigh,” said mother Kerry Pedersen in a news release Thursday. “We believe in teaching our children the value of giving, and we always choose causes that help or save others.”

“I just wanted to help,” said Rileigh, a student at Parsley Elementary School.

Rileigh launched a similar fundraiser in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. She was only in kindergarten at the time. She donated $130 in support of international relief efforts.

You can help people affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy by making a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. There are several ways to donate:

• Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
• Visit the American Red Cross website by clicking here
• Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation
• Send donations to the local chapter office at 1102 S. 16th St. Wilmington, NC 28401
• Send donations to the national office at P.O. Box 37243 Washington, DC 20013

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