Addison resident Sam Harris, 9, heard about a local family in need and asked his grandfather, also named Sam Harris, to help them.
The result – $3,957 was raised to benefit the Rivest family of Addison Township, who lost their home and two family members in a Jan. 5 explosion and fire.
“I felt very, very sorry for the family. They lost everything they had,” said the Clear Lake Elementary fifth-grader. “We collected money at school. We raised $500, but I thought that wasn’t enough. I wanted to do more.”
Sam approached his grandfather, who’s owned the Gold Star restaurant in Rochester Hills for 28 years, and asked him to conduct a fund-raiser for the Rivests.
“It was very touching,” said the grandfather, who also resides in Addison Township. “I’m very, very proud of him. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. He’s my life. He’s the best.”
Over the course of one week, Gold Star customers contributed an impressive $2,957.
“My customers were super,” he said.
Grandpa then made a matching donation of $1,000 from his own pocket.
Despite his generosity, Harris insisted his grandson and customers deserve all the credit.
“He started it. He should get all the credit and my customers, him and my customers” Harris said.