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Teen's garage-sale finds help needy families

Haleigh Snare didn't want to be recognized for assembling an inventory of baby furniture and donating it to Community Maternity Services, a Catholic Charities agency.

She didn't tell her teachers she was attending garage sales with her grandmother, haggling for lower prices and donations on gently used cribs, playpens, high chairs, bassinets, walkers and infant clothing.

She didn't tell them she was spending her $20 weekly allowance, matched by Grand-ma, on dozens of these items to give to pregnant and parenting teenagers and needy families.

Haleigh says there is no reason to make a fuss; God expects people to do good deeds. But many, from Community Maternity Services officials to her teachers, are singing the 13-year-old's praises.

"It just blew me away. I was amazed at what she did and how much she did," said Ann Pawlik, campus minister and theology teacher at Catholic Central High School in Troy, where Haleigh is a seventh-grader. The school found out through a letter of commendation from the agency.

Haleigh's contributions, which helped 40 or 50 families in Albany and Schenectady, came at a time when donations to Community Maternity Ser-vices are being distributed more quickly than in previous years.

Like all human service agencies, CMS struggles to meet its goals. In the past year, food demand doubled and the number of community callers increased by half. People are more desperate for emergency assistance and help paying rent and electric bills. They turn to CMS more often for diapers, baby formula, job interview clothes, school supplies and prom dresses.

Even as needs are increasing, CMS lost funding this year from the state Office of Children and Family Services, as well as the Maternity and Early Childhood Foundation. A few jobs at the agency have been lost, and services may need to be pared back.

This is the first time anyone has thought to look for items at garage sales, said Sister Mary Ann LoGiudice, RSM, agency director. Usually, people donate after reading about the agency in parish bulletins or hearing about it through friends.

"It's so wonderful to us," Sister Mary Ann said of Haleigh's work. "It just renews your faith in that spirit of young people and your hope in their willingness to be involved and help others."

Haleigh's teachers and family describe her as hard-working, sharp and quietly strong. A high honor roll student, she makes time to volunteer at pet rescues, senior citizen dinners and food drives. She also bowls in a league and plays soccer for the CCHS team.

Haleigh participates in her school's character council and its service work with St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany.

"She would do anything for anyone," said Fred Talarico, middle school dean.

Haleigh also questions racism, poverty and educational indifference. She gently corrects classmates if they say something derogatory or inappropriate.

"She just gets it," said Hillary Snare, Haleigh's mother, who is a CMS employee and tells her daughter about the agency's needs.

Haleigh has flirted with the idea of a dress-down fundraiser in school to benefit Haiti. She has considered writing to diaper and formula companies for donations or vouchers for CMS. But she wouldn't flaunt these ideas; that's not her style.

The garage sale project was Haleigh's idea, too. She spends every other weekend going to garage sales with her grandmother, Brenda Snare.

When they spotted like-new baby furniture, Haleigh decided it would be perfect for her mother's clients. When sellers heard her pitch and cause, they often gave in, said her grandmother: One seller chopped the price of a bassinet from $30 to $6; another offered a matching wooden crib and changing table for $12, down from $40.

Haleigh said she wants to continue purchasing the items. She's on a hiatus because her grandmother's garage, where she stores her purchases, is needed for cars during the winter.

After her accomplishment was announced at school, at least one teacher offered Haleigh some items. Classmates told her they were proud.

If Haleigh didn't save her money for the garage sales, she said she would save it for college. She's interested in science.

Helping those less fortunate than her is more important to her than having fun. "I know that I'm going to help these people," she said, "and help their children."


(01/28/10)



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