Twin fourth-graders host fundraiser for IMA

 

By Emily Esworthy/IMA

The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010 sparked a spirit of compassion and generosity in millions of people around the world. One of the most inspiring donations IMA received following the earthquake was from two nine-year-old girls, identical twins Asher and Aliyah Newberry, who cooked up their own idea to help earthquake victims: a fundraiser they called "Hot Dogs for Haiti."

On May 15, 2010, after learning about the devastating earthquake both from their teacher and from their mother, Asher and Aliyah set up a table outside the Smithsburg Market in their home town of Smithsburg, Maryland, to sell hot dogs and lemonade to benefit Haiti. At the end of the day, the twins' fundraising efforts netted $75.61, which they donated to IMA World Health to help Haiti.

According to the twins' proud mom, Laura Newberry Wilson, Asher and Aliyah chose to send their proceeds to IMA because they liked that it was based in Maryland and that it was "an organization that we trusted." Wilson also explained that she had been "very moved" by a presentation that Douglas Bright, IMA's Vice President of Resource Development, delivered in early March 2010 to the Berkeley County Ministerium of West Virginia, of which she is a member.

Through IMA's programs, a donation of $75 can have a major impact in Haiti. For example, $75 can provide the necessary supplies for a safe and sterile birth for three expectant mothers and their newborn children through IMA's Safe Motherhood Kit™ program. The same amount could also provide the essential hygiene supplies needed to help five children ward off disease through the Healthy Kids Kits program.

IMA President and CEO Rick Santos remarked, "We were impressed by Hot Dogs for Haiti and the compassion and generosity behind Asher and Aliyah's donation to IMA. These girls are proof that everyone, of any age, can have a positive impact on their world. Our team at IMA is committed to helping Haiti rebuild – for as long as it takes – and we are proud to have Asher and Aliyah supporting our efforts to bring health and healing to Haiti."

What's next for the Newberry twins? "Hamburgers for Haiti!" they say, and their proud mom is behind them every step of the way.

"It's really sad because (the earthquake in Haiti) has almost fallen completely out of the news," Wilson told the Hagerstown Herald-Mail. "It's off everyone's radar, so I'm all about Hamburgers for Haiti."

Asher and Aliyah are currently occupied with adjusting to fourth grade, but they plan to launch their latest fundraiser as soon as they work out the details. They are even planning to approach more local businesses for support so that Hamburgers for Haiti can have an even bigger impact.

Aliyah told the Herald-Mail, "My really important dream has always been to build something nice for the world. It's my goal to kind of rebuild the world back to how it's supposed to be."

"I'm very proud of them," said Wilson. "They have an awful lot of energy and a very big vision."