Ellie and Sam are two really wonderful kids, ages eleven and nine respectively, who live in Burnsville, Minnesota. OK, full disclosure here - They are our great-niece and great-nephew. But they really are wonderful kids. They attend an elementary school that is big on service projects, and with the help of their service-minded parents, they are making a difference in the world.
At the start of the school year each September, students, parents and alumni can sign up to grow their hair all year long and cut it the following May for one of several charities that take hair donations to make wigs for children and adults with medical hair loss issues. Ellie just had her hair cut last week at the end of fifth grade and donated it to Pantene’s charity, Beautiful Lengths. This was the third time she has done this, as she had previously donated her hair in first and third grades.
Sam donated his hair a year ago, and he is now in the middle of a two-year cycle to grow his hair long again so that he can donate it next May. He is one of a handful of boys who participate in this project.
Sam is a Cub Scout. He participated in Scouting for Food, where he and his troop members dropped off grocery bags to homes, asking people to donate canned food items. A week later, the scouts returned to pick up the donations and delivered them to a local food bank.
These kids are also big fans of charities that promote animal welfare. When Ellie’s Girl Scout troop was choosing a project for their bronze award, they decided to educate their community about pet adoption and reducing the stray animal population. They created a flyer that they handed out at the city of Savage’s Service Day in April, an annual event that brings together charity groups and the broader community with activities that show how anyone of any age can help others. The troop members also made blankets and cat toys and delivered them to a local shelter.
Ellie and Sam’s parents, David and Sarah, are also animal lovers and frequently foster puppies for an organization called Pet Haven until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered and adopted by a loving family. The kids learn about the responsibilities of taking care of a pet and have fun playing with them. When we went to their house yesterday, I got to hold the two puppies they are currently fostering. There’s nothing like a little lick on the nose to bring a smile to your face.
It gives me hope to see children working on service projects that benefit people or animals in need. I am so proud of David, Sarah, Ellie and Sam for their family’s selflessness and commitment to helping others.