Alicia McMillan may have just gone back to school, but the Rye Neck eighth grader has been busy all summer long. Having discovered that her family’s dear neighbor had cancer, she set out on an assignment of her own.
By Janice Llanes Fabry
Alicia McMillan may have just gone back to school, but the Rye Neck eighth grader has been busy all summer long. Having discovered that her family’s dear neighbor had cancer, she set out on an assignment of her own.
“When our neighbor, who is such an optimistic person, was diagnosed, she inspired me to help with a cause that was so close to home,” said McMillan, who moved to Rye from the UK four years ago.
Deciding to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, she saved her babysitting money and collected donations from relatives in England and family friends here. Setting a goal of $2,000, the resourceful young tween planned an adult fundraiser with the help of her parents, complete with raffles and an auction. She delivered handwritten letters to local businesses requesting donations and promising “it would be good advertising for them.”
She also contacted a local opera singer and a guitar teacher, whose three-piece band provided the entertainment. Charging $40 per person, the McMillans treated nearly 60 guests to food and beverages, music, and raffles. The middle schooler raised $4,500 and donated all the proceeds to FirstGiving.com, which empowers passionate nonprofit supporters to raise money for various causes.
“It felt really good to see that money. I kept raising the goal to challenge myself and raise more,” she said. “It’s good to help out people who are struggling or have a disease. If you were in that situation, wouldn’t you wish someone was there to help you?”
What’s next for the young philanthropist? She’s planning to help children with cancer. “I’d like to go to the hospital to visit the kids. I know they will give me all the determination and the motivation I need,” McMillan remarked.
In the meantime, she hopes to continue raising funds through FirstGiving.com, where kids and adult alike may search “Alicia McMillan” and make a donation to benefit the American Cancer Society.
