Reported By: Kelley Dunn
Photographer: Tony Araujo
July 21, 2006
Ask most children what they want for their birthday and they'll probably give you a list!
Jessie Green is an exception.
When she turned 9 in May she didn't ask for gifts -- she asked for donations for her favorite charities.
Jessie's father, Mike Green, says, "it was her idea. She made it happen but we helped provide the guidance to be successful."
Jessie asked community leaders to help her raise money for hurricane survival kits for the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast and Arc of Martin County.
This is part of the speech she made during her many presentations:
"Total cost of the kit is $250 but we'll accept any amount to reach our goal. Our goal is 40 - 20 for the Arc and 20 for the Humane Society, for a total of $10,000."
This pint sized fundraiser beat that goal and raised $11,503.
David Miller, the Executive Director of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, says, "we can never have enough supplies -- food, medical supplies, water -- things people take for granted in their own hurricane kits -- we have to care for over hundreds of animals in this facility."
Helping others is not new to Jessie -- in fact it's a family affair.
When Jessie's big sister Devon was 9 she ran her own recycling business. A portion of her proceeds went to charity.
Devon is now 15 and her "Heal the World Recycling" is still going strong. Now Jessie's involved too.
So why are Devon and Jessie so extraordinary?
Devon Green, Jessie's sister says, "I think it's the mentality to give back. You can't take, take, take -- it's important to realize that other people and animals have needs..not just you as an individual."
They live by example and reach out to other children so they too will know that we can heal the world when we help others.
Mike Green says, "we have no idea who it inspires, someone else. Or who inspires their little sister -- how far it filters down -- that's the beauty of it."
For following in her family's tradition of caring Jessie Green is this weeks Kelley's Hero.
Jessie sends a big thanks to Toyota of Stuart, Smith Barney and the Rotary Club of Stuart-Sunrise who generously agreed to match some of her donations.
For more information on Jessie and Devon's heal the world campaign visit www.devonshealtheworld.com.
