For a Bat Mitzvah, most girls would ask for clothes, gift cards and accessories. But after hearing about the devastation Hurricane Katrina caused to New Orleans and its surrounding areas, Cassie knew she had to ask for something bigger.
She learned that most children affected by the hurricane no longer had books or supplies in their schools. As an avid reader, Cassie asked her Bat Mitzvah guests to donate brand-new books geared towards elementary school students. And although she did receive many gifts for herself, when word got out about her project, the entire community contributed, including Penguin Publishing and one of her teachers who donated school supplies. Cassie ended up with over 1000 books, which she donated to Woodmere Elementary School in Harvey, Louisiana.
But her work is not over yet. During a trip to New Orleans and Woodmere Elementary, Cassie found that two years after the storm, more than 600 students, 90% of whom live below the poverty line, still attend classes in FEMA trailers, and the school still doesn't have enough sports equipment or art supplies. Cassie is now working to get sports equipment donations and her 16-year-old brother, Ethan, is busy gathering art supplies for the school.
Cassie has certainly made a huge difference in the lives of the students who attend Woodmere, and at only 13 years old, there's no doubt she'll continue to do even more.
Keep up the great work Cassie!
