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Third-grader organizes donation drive
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Grayson (left), Aiden and Owen Orlovsky collected donations from their neighbors to send area military personnel care packages for the holidays. The Orlovsky family was inspired to perform this civic duty after reading about “Operation Holiday Cheer” in The Vindicator.
By ABBY SLANKER
On a recent Sunday morning, 9-year-old Aiden Orlovsky was inspired to give back to area servicemen and women.
The Hilltop third-grader and her family — parents Kim and Ray and brothers Grayson and Owen — decided to organize a neighborhood care package for “The Vindicator’s” third annual “Operation Holiday Cheer.”
Aiden drafted and delivered a letter to her neighbors asking for any donations to the troops and attached a list of items that are greatly in need. She asked her neighbors to let her know if they were interested in contributing and, if so, she and her family would pick up the items. They also provided a Christmas card for contributors to sign.
The Orlovskys were overwhelmed by the response they received from their neighborhood. The family went door-to-door to pick up the donations, and when they were done, their van was jam packed.
According to Kim, the family received a shopping bag full of a variety of products, including toiletries, soups, books, flash drives, baby wipes and phone cards from each neighbor who participated. Some even included homemade cards for the troops.
“Our dining room table is overflowing with donated products. We didn’t expect this type of response. This project was a great first experience for Aiden. We have had an overwhelming response and it is just wonderful for her and Grayson and Owen to see this kind of generosity,” Kim said.
The family was planning to pack the items in individual 12-by-12-by-5 boxes and mail them to military personnel from the area that were listed. Kim estimated they would be able to fill and send approximately 15 care packages with the donations they received.
“This was a good experience for me. I had fun,” Aiden said.