7-year-old Makes Bracelets To Raise Money For Children’s Hospital’s PPE

• Hayley Orlinsky originally wanted to raise $200 by selling her bracelets for PPEs.
• She has now reached $20,000 and donated it all to Lurie Children’s Hospital.
• Hayley was born and taken care of at the hospital when she had breathing problems.

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There have been a number of fundraisers for personal protective equipment for hospitals.  Each one is a testament to humankind’s innate goodness to protect one’s own.  But this one stands out as the donor is just 7 years old.  And the fundraising activity— bracelets made from looping rubber bands.

Hayley Orlinsky’s mission is personal.  Her first days on earth were under the care of doctors, nurses, and medical staff at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital when she had trouble breathing. She wanted them to “protect themselves” while working with kids.

Hayley’s mom, Lori Orlinsky, who is also a children’s book author, estimates that her daughter has already made roughly 8,000 bracelets.  While Hayley loops, her 4-year-old sister helps organize the bands by color, and her parents mail the finished products nationwide.  It has now become a family activity.

Hayley’s initial goal was to reach $200 by selling the bracelets for $3 and $5 for an additional charm.  But she has already generated $20,000!

Everything that Hayley raises goes directly to the fundraising office of the Lurie Hospital.   Tracey McCusker, an associate director at the hospital’s foundation said that Lurie hasn’t had any problems getting gear and has used the money to pay for masks, goggles, face shields, gloves and other items for medical workers and visitors.

A lot of people have already pitched in for Hayley’s fundraiser.

Fellow campers in Hayley’s Apachi Day Camp are now onboard. Beth Miller, a camp director said, “It just became a thing that everyone wanted to do. It bonded the kids.”

With the success of Hayley’s bracelets, high-profile donors have also been coming in like Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago production of ”Hamilton” actor Miguel Cervantes. Hayley was even recognized at a White Sox game.

Through it all, the second grader still wants to continue making bracelets even when her hands sometimes get sore and needs a manicure.

She said, “I want to do it until the coronavirus is over. It feels like I’m helping a lot of people.”

Source: AOL.Com