Current:Home > MyA Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help. -Secure Growth Solutions
A Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help.
View
Date:2025-04-13 13:51:23
A Texas 7-year-old with a big heart used her allowance and community donations to make goodie bags for people experiencing homelessness this month.
Davenee Jaramillo is a second grader in the Levelland Independent School District, west of Lubbock.
“Whenever I see homeless people, it makes me sad,” she told USA TODAY.
Her mom, Debbie Jaramillo, said she has been asking her parents how she can help those in need for over a year. On Jan. 4, she got the idea to make goodie bags with all the essentials so she could pass them out to locals.
“We put a lot of food,” the 7-year-old said. “We put socks, (toenail) clippers. We put toothbrushes, toothpaste … water and little goodies.”
She aimed high and set out to make 100 bags, only her $20 allowance wasn’t enough to cover all of her supplies. The family decided to raise money by posting a video asking for help.
“I just sent a little group text out and immediately she had people sending donations to help her out,” Debbie said. “It added up quickly. It was overwhelming. Just that night, within two hours, she raised money.”
Family, friends, coworkers and other community members donated via Venmo and they raised between $700 and $800.
“It felt pretty good how people donated,” said Davenee, who expected to get around $100 or $200.
‘God put us in the right place at the right time’
In addition to the toothpaste, toothbrushes and other items Davenee put in the bags, people also donated blankets, ponchos and other items, her mom said.
Davenee’s mom, dad, brother and other family members chipped in to put them together.
“We just started an assembly line and it was fun,” her mother said, later adding that it took about an hour to knock them all out.
They passed the goodie bags out at multiple locations throughout their area, including to police stations so officers can hand them out to people they encounter.
The family also went to a transitional homeless shelter called Grace Campus in Lubbock since they know lots of people go there for support.
“We loaded her up in a trailer and we put the blankets in the bags,” her mom said. “She just immediately was in her element, just handing out and talking to people. It was pretty nice to see.”
Something pretty special happened later on, too. The family was driving down a random street and saw St. Benedict's Chapel preparing to feed locals in need.
“I felt like God put us in the right place at the right time,” she said.
They got out of the car and a gentleman greeted them, inviting them inside. He told them they were getting ready to feed people as they do each night. The family asked if it’d be OK to drop off some of their bags.
“They were thrilled and we were thrilled,” Debbie said, adding that they have items left over and plan to pass out more items soon.
More feel good news:A woman's 1959 bridal photos were long lost. Now the 85-year-old has those memories back.
Meet Davanee: The small hero with a big heart
Aside from giving to those in need, Davenee likes to watch television and play. She also plays basketball and she’s super crafty.
“She’s shy and loving, but at home, she's my silly girl,” her mom said. “A lot of people don't get to see that side.”
Her mom calls her “the little teacher” and when they play school, Davenee is the teacher and the principal, her mom laughed.
Davenee wants to help more people this summer and has a challenge for people everywhere.
“Be kind to other people,” she said.
To donate to Davenee’s cause, visit www.venmo.com/u/DebbieJaramillo.
veryGood! (23596)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Fracking Study Finds Toxins in Wyoming Town’s Groundwater and Raises Broader Concerns
- Today’s Climate: July 21, 2010
- How some doctors discriminate against patients with disabilities
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Givenchy’s Cult Favorite Black Magic Lipstick Is Finally Back in Stock and It’s on Sale
- Prince Harry's Spare Ghostwriter Recalls Shouting at Him Amid Difficult Edits
- InsideClimate News Launches National Environment Reporting Network
- Small twin
- Outcry Prompts Dominion to Make Coal Ash Wastewater Cleaner
Ranking
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- Pruitt Announces ‘Secret Science’ Rule Blocking Use of Crucial Health Research
- With Some Tar Sands Oil Selling at a Loss, Why Is Production Still Rising?
- Paying for mental health care leaves families in debt and isolated
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- What causes Alzheimer's? Study puts leading theory to 'ultimate test'
- Get 2 Bareminerals Tinted Moisturizers for the Less Than the Price of 1 and Replace 4 Products at Once
- State legislative races are on the front lines of democracy this midterm cycle
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Pat Robertson, broadcaster who helped make religion central to GOP politics, dies at age 93
In California, Climate Change Is an ‘Immediate and Escalating’ Threat
Today’s Climate: July 20, 2010
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
Today’s Climate: July 29, 2010
Derek Jeter Privately Welcomes Baby No. 4 With Wife Hannah Jeter
Pigeon Power: The Future of Air Pollution Monitoring in a Tiny Backpack?