I’ve always heard that real superheroes always wear masks. Recently, I had the experience of meeting my first real superhero. This was when eight-year-old Abby shyly walked through the doors of Catholic Charities. Accompanied by her mother, practicing social distancing, and wearing her mask, you knew there was something special about her. Even with the mask on I could also detect a wry smile on her face. Abby had come to Catholic Charities on a mission. Earlier in the month, she had set up a lemonade stand at her mother’s tag sale hoping to raise money for Catholic Charities.

Somewhat shy and unassuming, Abby didn’t quite know what all the fuss was about her donation. When I asked how she came up with the idea of a lemonade stand, she humbly smiled and shrugged her shoulders.

“I just thought of it,” she said.  Just a statement of fact. “I remembered my school motto, ‘Love Serves,’ so I thought I would do something to help people. That’s when I got some help from my dad and set up a lemonade stand.” 

Abby was quick to add that during the sale, she did in fact put into practice her social distancing skills with her customers.

When asked why they chose Catholic Charities to receive her donation, Abby’s mom supplied some pertinent details.

“We were blessed to have been able to adopt Abby, and Catholic Charities was there to help and assist us during the entire process,” said Abby’s mom, Shannon. “This was all Abby’s idea, she wanted to give back to Catholic Charities and this is what she decided to do in order make it happen.”

Through Abby’s efforts she was able to raise $220 for Catholic Charities. This will enable the agency to do so many things. Her donation will be able to feed a family of four for 10 days, keep an infant supplied with diapers, wipes and formula for a month, or pay the utility services for one of our mature clients on fixed income so they can benefit from some financial relief.

Thank you, Abby, for your big heart and generous donation!

By Jack Babbitt