Carroll Co. Teen Raises Funds For St. Jude's
HAMPSTEAD, Md. (WJZ) -- She's only 13 and has cerebral palsy, but that hasn't stopped one Carroll County teen from reaching out to help others.
Ron Matz has more on a little girl with a big heart.
Thirteen-year-old Leah Kozoidek makes and sells ribbon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
"I make the ribbons. I sell them for $2 each," Leah said. "They give the money to me and I put the money in a box and send it to St. Jude's."
Making ribbons isn't as easy as you might think, you see Leah has cerebral palsy.
"It's pretty easy to do for someone who is normal, but with my cerebral palsy my hands really don't work that well," she said.
When she needs it, her mom Mandy is there to help.
"I help her out." Leah's mom said. "With her cerebral palsy it's harder for her, so I'll put the rhinestones on because they're small."
Each color represents a different kind of cancer, including pink for breast cancer. They are ribbons of hope.
"It makes me feel good. I like making the ribbons," Leah said. "They're nice to make and I'm helping people."
Leah's fundraising drive was originally scheduled just for the holidays, but now she plans to sell her ribbons for as long as she can.
"I hope people will help and send money to St. Jude's," she adds.
Her mother says, "she's a blessing. Not just to me but to many others. She's got a caring heart."
So far Leah has raised more than $325 dollars for St. Jude's.
