CASSIE’S BUTTONS

                    

                                          

 When Cassie Healy created her necklaces at age five, nobody expected she’d be helping wishes come true. Her crafts of string and colorful buttons started out as a gift for her mom, Kathleen Healy, “because I thought it would look pretty,” says Cassie. Kathleen, a nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, took Cassie’s necklace to work. Other nurses liked them and offered to buy some. “My co-workers started asking for the jewelry almost right away,” says Kathleen, “and so it began.”  Cassie’s project, “Buttons for Wishes” was born. Cassie jumped at the chance to make more necklaces since she loves to do crafts. She offered choices of bright, pastel, or vintage. “Bright is my favorite because you can see it the most,” says Cassie.  

           When Cassie collected $500, Kathleen asked her what she wanted to do with the money. Cassie insisted on donating it to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “I put the money in my Make-A-Wish box,” Cassie says. Kathleen adds, “because of my job, she has been more exposed to children with serious illnesses.”

      Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of seriously sick children age 2 to 18. “It’s rare . . . to get support from a young child who wants to help . . . by fund-raising,” says Rebecca Reid, from the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

           The children who Make-A-Wish helps are often in a hospital instead of at the playground. Through Make-A-Wish, the children receive an experience they’ll remember forever. When asked why she wanted to give all her money to the foundation, Cassie simply said, “So sick kids can get happy.”   

                                                                                     

                      Cassie’s Kindness Catches On

             Generosity is contagious when you’re around Cassie. Word spread that she was selling the jewelry for Make-A-Wish. “The response was overwhelming,” says Kathleen. Last year, Cassie’s kindergarten class spent schooldays putting together the necklaces and donated money for more supplies. Even some local businesses showed interest in “Buttons for Wishes.” 

             When Cassie finished her project, she had raised more than $1,000. Because of Cassie’s selflessness, she helped grant a wish and make someone “get happy.”