Fourth-grade fundraiser happily tackles projects

Maple Terrace resident Paige Pongrazzi

has helped St. Jude’s, Locks of Love,
and other charities raise money
By:Eileen Oldfield
   For Maple Terrace resident and Amsterdam School fourth-grader Paige Pongrazzi, fundraising during school events, like the Math-A-Thon, isn’t just another assignment — it’s something she’s doing on her own as well.
   Paige decided to participate in the Math-A-Thon when she was in first grade. That year, she raised $1,005 for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital during the program, and raised $2,355 when she did the program the following year. Though she didn’t think she’d raise $6,860 in the three years, she definitely enjoyed it.
   "I think I just wanted to do the Math-A-Thon and liked it, and decided to do it again," Paige said.
   Paige isn’t alone in her charity work either. Her family is very active in charity work, including the Run With Aimee five-kilometer run in Montgomery. They support Paige during the Math-A-Thon also, by donating money.
   "I call my family, and they always sponsor me," says Paige. "I ask my friends too."
   Though Paige participated in Amsterdam school’s Locks Of Love event in June, her fundraising isn’t limited to school events — she donated her hair to Locks of Love before she knew about the program at school, says her mother, Rebecca Pongrazzi.
   "The first time she did it all on her own," said Ms. Pongrazzi. "We went down to the Legends salon. This time, she did it with the Locks of Love program at her school."
   Paige also donates money to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and to local animal shelters. She’ll donate money she gets for chores and from gifts, and money that she’s raised by selling toys at her family’s garage sale, and by selling lemonade at the garage sale. Selling lemonade wasn’t exactly planned, says Paige.
   "At the garage sale, it was hot," said Paige. "We had made some lemonade, so we brought that out."
   The lemonade sales were successful enough for Paige’s family to build a lemonade stand for her to use during future garage sales, and so she can sell lemonade regularly.
   Paige doesn’t limit herself when she’s fundraising, says Ms. Pongrazzi. She has helped out at various events, even if she doesn’t directly participate. Paige started helping with Run with Aimee when she was in kindergarten, and volunteered at the Wellness Community Benefit this year.
   "She’s always available to give a helping hand," said Ms. Pongrazzi.
   "I kind of enjoy it all," says Paige. "I like doing the math and helping other people."
   Right now, Paige has a break from fundraising. She doesn’t have any plans for the summer, and might spend it doing other enjoyable activities, like swimming, bouncing on her trampoline, and playing with her golden retrievers, Ally and Goldy. She intends on doing the Math-A-Thon next year. She doesn’t know if she’ll top the $3,500 she raised last year, but the amount of money she raises doesn’t concern her much.
   "I raise what I raise," said Paige.