Jenks Students Show Birthday Benevolence
By KENDRA BLEVINS
Associate Editor
HELPING HANDS: From left Abby Briggs, Kyleigh Webb, Allie Sammons and Rebecca Nelson are standing in front of the window that has the hands that represent families who benefit from the Jenks Middle School Helping Hands charity. The girls donated over $950 after their 13th birthday party.
KENDRA BLEVINS for GTR Newspapers
The four middle schoolers don’t know who will get the money or when but they know that their donation is in good hands.
“It’s unusual that 13-year-old kids would do something like this,” says Jenks Middle School Principle Rob Miller. Abby Briggs, Kyleigh Webb, Allie Sammons and Rebecca Nelson all share birthdays within the same two months and for their 13th birthday bash they requested each guest bring $13 to donate to a charity instead of bringing birthday presents.
“We wanted to do something local and to help somebody. We get gifts from our parents,” says Sammons.
“They’ve done an incredibly generous thing,” says Miller. “I’m very impressed with the generosity of the girls and they are a great example to adults and an example of what giving is all about.”
Their birthday party had about 80 guests whose donations, some more than the $13 request, totaled $966 for the Jenks Middle School Helping Hands charity, which aids Tulsa area families.
“We knew we needed to donate to a charity and we picked Helping Hands,” says Webb.
The goal was $1,000 but they are happy with the donations they received, even if it is just shy of their goal.
“We’re happy with our money,” says Briggs.
There is always next year.
“Our moms are already planning a 14th birthday party,” says Nelson. “Maybe we’ll go for $1,500.”
“I want to say, ‘Thank you’ to everyone for helping,” says Webb.
The party was held at the Stokely Event Center, 10111 E. 45th Place, and had a retro diner theme. The girls had their own birthday cakes with polka dots.
Updated 12-15-2008
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