Current:Home > reviewsA Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help. -Financium
A Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help.
View
Date:2025-04-12 13:18:50
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! (6993)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Siemens Gamesa scraps plans to build blades for offshore wind turbines on Virginia’s coast
- Growing concerns from allies over Israel’s approach to fighting Hamas as civilian casualties mount
- Australia offers to help Tuvalu residents escape rising seas and other ravages of climate change
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Once a practice-squad long shot, Geno Stone has emerged as NFL's unlikely interception king
- IRS announces new tax brackets for 2024. What does that mean for you?
- 'Half American' explores how Black WWII servicemen were treated better abroad
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- How Taylor Swift reporter Bryan West's video cover letter landed him the gig: Watch the video
Ranking
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Peoria Book Rack is a true book lovers hub in Illinois: Here are the books they recommend
- Classes on celebrities like Taylor Swift and Rick Ross are engaging a new generation of law students
- Is it OK to say 'Happy Veterans Day'? Veterans share best way to honor them
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz drops out of governor’s race to run for Congress
- Barbra Streisand says she's not a diva - she's a director
- Michigan man cleared of sexual assault after 35 years in prison
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Moody’s lowers US credit outlook, though keeps triple-A rating
Former Mississippi corrections officer has no regrets after being fired for caring for inmate's baby
State Department rushes to respond to internal outcry over Israel-Hamas war
DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
Local election workers have been under siege since 2020. Now they face fentanyl-laced letters
What is the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal? We break it down.
Olympic skater's doping fiasco will drag into 2024, near 2-year mark, as delays continue