Friday, September 19, 2008
The children’s fund-raising goal was $400, but the event brought in $3,100.
staff report
POLAND — A community group will honor two township children who staged a carnival to raise money to help one of their classmates.
Joseph Novosel, worshipful master of Poland Lodge No. 766, Free & Accepted Masons, said the organization will present Kara and Alex Thompson, both 11, with the 2008 Community Builder’s Award on Sept. 25.
The twins, who attend Struthers Middle School, organized a carnival last summer to raise money to buy a supportive swing for their neighbor and classmate, Sarah Williams.
Sarah, 12, suffers from leukodystrophy, a rare, progressive, metabolic, genetic disease that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Kara and Alex hoped to raise $400, the cost of the swing, but the event generated more than $3,100. The family planned to use the remainder of the money for additional equipment to help Sarah.
Novosel said organization members read about the twins’ kindness in a Vindicator story and decided to honor them.
“I couldn’t believe what these kids had done,” he said.
Kara and Alex are the youngest recipients to ever get the award, Novosel said.
The lodge, through the event, also plans to raise money to help Sarah.
Members of the Poland Firemen’s Association, comprised of members of the Western Reserve Joint Fire District, will pick the children up at their home in a firetruck and take them to the dinner at Poland United Methodist Church.
Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti is expected to attend to present the twins with a resolution marking their efforts. Other participants include township police, the school PTA, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office, Chase, Home Savings & Loan, Key Bank and Farmers National Bank, according to Novosel.