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Cherry Creek second grade students donate to Foundation

Douglas O’Hagan likes to help sick people.

Grace Feliz says giving to others “just makes you feel good.”

As a result, Marquette General Health System is richer in more ways than one.

This past school year, O’Hagan and Feliz were students in teacher Judy Smith’s second-grade elementary class at Cherry Creek School in Marquette.

With their classmates, they actively participated in three school fund-raisers: a can drive, a “Y-ties” shoelace sale and a used book sale. Their collective purpose was to raise money to help others.

They raised more than $700 for a class trip to Munising to go on the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruise. During the school year, the class decorated small boats that were carefully carved by one of the parents. During the Pictured Rocks excursion, the students let their boats sail, with the hope that many would find their way into the hands of others who could read the messages they inscribed on them.

Cherry Creek second grade students, from left, front row, are Tori Wiese, Grace Feliz, Kerrigan Braun, Zoey Peterson, Wyatt Goodwin and Alex DuVall. Second row, Garrett Finkbeiner, Dillon Bennetts, Douglas O’Hagan, Cassidy Kamrada, Taylor Ehnis and Samantha Sheltrow. Third row, Mrs. Judy Smith.

With the remaining money raised, the students decided to gift $170 to Marquette General Hospital and another charitable organization.

“Some of these kids have parents who work at Marquette General,” Mrs. Smith said. “It was their way of giving back.”

Feliz said she wanted to give to Marquette General for one simple reason:
“I want to help people so they will be healthy,” she said. “I feel really good about that.”
O’Hagan said he hopes the money will help cover charges for x-rays and medicine for those patients who have an inability to pay.

“I kind of thought that this would be nice,” he said. “There are a lot of sick people at Marquette General, and I wanted to give to a hospital.”

Mrs. Smith recently presented the $170 check to the Marquette General Foundation, which recognized the students’ kindness at an end-of-year pool party at Mrs. Smith’s house.

“This serves as a shining example of philanthropy at work at an early age,” said Jim LaJoie, planned giving/major gifts manager of the Marquette General Foundation. “Giving comes from the heart and these children clearly exhibit that. We’re very thankful for their gift.”

For more information call (906) 225-6914 or Toll Free: 1-866-906-6914.