Little cancer crusader
Published: May 4, 2007
A Woodland Primary School first-grader is helping cancer sufferers around the world from her driveway.
Julia Davis, 7, with the help of parents Todd and Joyce Davis , is hosting her second annual Snacks for a Cure to raise money for the American Cancer Society at her home at 1149 Sumner Circle.
The sale of refreshments, which will be held through 4 p.m. today, is part of a larger Stonebrook subdivision rummage sale on the village’s west side.
Julia asked if she could raise money “for the cancer doctors” two years ago while attending a Relay for Life fund-raiser with her parents and aunt, a cancer survivor, in suburban Norridge.
“My neighbor named Patty has breast cancer and so did my grandma,” Julia said as she took a break from pouring coffee and hot chocolate for customers. “Lots of people have it, so I’m going to have the sale again. I’m learning it’s a bad disease.”
What was supposed to be a lemonade stand last year soon included an expanded menu. The Gurnee Wal-Mart has again donated items for the sale, which include soft pretzels, muffins, candy, hot dogs, juice and bottled water. Wal-Mart employees will again join the Davis’ Luau for a Cure team that will participate in the Gurnee Relay for Life to be held July 14-15 at the Warren Township High School stadium.
The store gave a $500 contribution last year.
This year’s Snacks for a Cure went on despite Thursday’s persistent drizzle after Wal-Mart loaned the family a big white tent. Last year’s sale earned $2,335 — more than half of the team’s total.
The sale also includes a raffle for four tickets to Six Flags Great America, donated for the second year by the theme park.
Customers may inscribe the names of their friends and loved ones who have battled cancer on paper stars for display at the snack booth.
“We’ve lost some friends, and others have been diagnosed,” Davis said.
Julia is an excellent student. She reads beyond her grade level. And like all good salespersons, she remembers to say “Please” and “Thank you.”
The snack fund-raiser offers hands-on learning. This year Julia helped make fliers and is making change for her customers.
“She had an idea and she followed it through,” Davis said. “She’s doing something she cares about. She’s doing it for the people she loves.”
If you enjoyed this good news Subscribe to Good News Blog
Share this
To share this simply copy and paste one of the below URL's: