Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008
Duo works together to collect food
by William Widmaier | Special to The Gazette
Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Julia and Anna Lemick have not received birthday presents in four years.
Instead, they ask that donations be made to a charity of their choice.
A tall order for the girls — just 7 and 8 years old.
"I've always felt that it was important that the girls understand there is a bigger picture," Stacie Lemick said about her daughters who attend Oakdale Elementary School and live in New Market.
When Julia was 4, her parents sat her down and explained that the Frederick Food Bank was low on food, and Julia wanted to help. Instead of asking for presents for her birthday, she asked for donations. Since that birthday, Julia has picked her own charities to donate to; from the food bank, to Toys for Tots, to Labrador Retriever Rescue.
The duo, with the help of their parents Stacie and Ron Lemick, will hold a food drive outside Giant Food in the Villages of Urbana to benefit the Frederick Food Bank. Julia read in the newspaper that the food bank's shelves were growing bare, and she wanted to help. Anna also thought it was a good idea.
The girls planned for their food drive to fall on Make A Difference Day, which is the largest national day of helping others. Created by "USA Weekend" magazine, it falls on the fourth Saturday in October.
In recent weeks, the girls have been busy posting fliers in their neighborhood and asking neighbors for donations. "It makes me feel good because I am helping others," Julia said.
For her December birthday this year, she will get cake, but no presents, she said. She said she is unsure whether she will ask for friends to donate to Toys for Tots or the Food Bank she said.
Julia and Anna put up "about a whole neighborhood" worth of fliers this week in New Market, as the 8-year-old philanthropist said.
According to the Frederick Community Action Agency, the Frederick Food Bank needs non-perishable foods such as canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats and fishes, juices and drinks, pasta products, canned soups, rice and other staples. Frozen foods such as meats and vegetables are also accepted.