9-Year-Old Girl Raises $1,000 for Homeless Shelter by Selling Handmade Bracelets and Pens
A caring girl turned her love of crafting into $1,000 for families at a women shelter
When Darya Haija asked her mom where unhoused people sleep, her answer jump-started the 9-year-old’s mission to help those in need—and the crafty kid found a way to make a big difference! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
Parisima Taeb and her 9-year-old daughter, Darya Haija, were heading home from their local Fort Myers, Florida, grocery store when Darya spotted a group of homeless people in a nearby lot.
“Where do they sleep?” she asked her mom, worried.
“There are shelters that try to help them,” Parisima explained, but Darya wasn’t satisfied. “Where do they get money for food? How can I help?” she persisted, but this time her mom had no answer.
“Let me ask your teacher,” Parisima said. “Maybe she knows how you can help.”
“Your timing couldn’t be better,” Darya’s teacher said the next afternoon when Parisima approached. “The school is starting a food drive. Darya is welcome to help!”
Thrilled, Darya and her classmates collected canned goods and helped sort them for a local food pantry. Maybe there’s more I can do, she thought as the drive ended.
Darya loved making jewelry at home. “What do you think?” she asked her mom, showing off a beaded bracelet.
“It’s beautiful!” Parisima smiled, and the next afternoon, Darya made another.
Soon she had 20—and then she began decorating pens.
“I’m going to sell them and raise money for the homeless,” Darya declared. “Where should the money go?”
Parisima researched shelters and visited several with Darya. One of them, Fort Myers Women and Children Shelter, tugged at Darya’s heart.
“This is the one,” Darya decided, and soon she was going door-to-door selling her bracelets and pens.
People were touched by the little girl’s kindness and almost everyone she spoke to made a purchase. When Darya had $1,000, Parisima helped her open a bank account and write a check. “This is for you,” she told Rachel McKinnon, director of Fort Myers Women and Children’s Shelter.
“This will help us buy food and supplies for residents,” McKinnon said gratefully, but for Darya, it was just the beginning.
She created more bracelets and pens, and with unusually cold weather approaching, she used the money for PJs, sweatshirts and sweaters.
“It’s always a blessing when members of the community get involved,” says McKinnon. “It shows the residents someone cares about them.”
For her latest and greatest project, Darya has made 100 bracelets, and she’s recruiting friends for a big community sale.
“People need food and a place to sleep,” she says. “I love helping them any way I can.”
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