Story by Randy Porter
LINCOLN (SNR) - A Lincoln third-grader who started a fund-raising campaign with her own $10 in savings has raised more than $1,000 for the new Women’s Care Center.
Theresa Freeh, 8, daughter of Dr. John and Helen Freeh, presented the money to the women’s center at its official opening Dec. 7. Theresa decided to start the fundraiser after reading a folder of materials for the center.
Theresa and her family are members of St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln.
“I didn’t have enough dollars to give a big thing to the Women’s Care Center so I just decided to do a fundraiser with the help of my mom,” she said. “I wrote letters to about 40 friends and family outside of Lincoln who knew me or my mom and dad. I was hoping to raise $350.”
The women’s center celebrated its opening at a location near Lincoln Right to Life Center. Theresa was sad when she learned her contribution alone was not enough for the center to open. Her letter said a new Women’s Care Center was opening in Lincoln across from Planned Parenthood, and was going to help moms keep their babies.
“I told them that I had donated $10 and I asked if they’d match my contribution,” she said. “Mom added that they shouldn’t write checks to me, but to the Women’s Care Center. She asked if they would match the donation with a check directly to the center.”
Although Theresa suggested only a $10 donation, many of the letter recipients gave more.
“I was thinking everyone would just send $10, but they didn’t,” Theresa said. “So, about half the people I wrote to have sent something back,” she said, and the total is already at $1,000.
“There’s probably going to be more money when everyone sends something in.”
She was surprised people sent more than what she had asked.
“They are very generous and they wrote such nice notes encouraging me and the praying for the work of the center. I’m saving all the notes,” she said.
Theresa was so happy to present the checks to the Women’s Care Center, her mother said.
The youngster demonstrated how one person can raise funds with a simple letter.
“I hope the money raised for the care center will save more babies, and change hearts for the mothers,” Theresa said.
