Local Fundraiser Helps Pay For Education Of Children Who've Lost A Parent
By Hadas Kuznits
GLENSIDE, Pa. (CBS) -- The second annual community fundraiser for 'Brave Hearts For Strong Minds' took place Saturday on the campus of La Salle University. The local event helps with the college tuition of children who have lost a working parent. Advisory board member Joe Spause says the group was established out of a need.
"A local community member named Tom Reilly passed away suddenly of a heart attack leaving behind his four children," he says. "The community all came together and was trying to help individually, and so what we wanted to do as an organization was come together to really make the greatest impact."
All the money raised this year goes to help fund the education of Reilly's four children. His widow Krista says the community support has been overwhelming:
"This year we are the recipients, next year we will help to pick the donor family and help organize and run the day," she says. "It's very therapeutic for the kids and myself to be able to know that the community came together to help us in a time of need and that we can then pass it forward to help someone else."
Spause says children who've lost a parent can apply for their services and the organization donates all funds raised into 529 plans for them.
