Amidst the season of ‘goodwill towards men,? Oxford Middle School seventh-grader Cammron Hauxwell and sixth-grader Aidan Mifsud donated their birthday money to help those who are less fortunate.
‘I saw on TV (that) this little girl, for her birthday, asked everyone to give her shoes and she gave them to a home for kids who have no parents in Haiti,? Hauxwell said. ‘I thought ‘that’s a cool idea so I decided to come up with something that I could do like that.??
Feeling inspired, Hauxwell took the $75 he received for his 13th birthday on Nov. 10 and donated it to his friend’s little sister who has Cerebral Palsy. ‘She likes to ride horses a lot, so I decided to donate it (to her so she could go horseback riding,) he said. ‘I felt good about myself.?
In addition to donating his birthday money, Hauxwell, who had been growing his hair out since second grade, got a haircut this past summer and donated it to help make wigs for children with cancer.
‘When my uncle joined the military he had to cut his hair so he decided to donate it,? he explained. ‘I thought it was cool so I decided to do the same thing.?
Hauxwell said his hair reached his shoulder blades and even though he was harassed and teased for his longer hair he didn’t let it bother him.
‘I knew it was for a good cause.?
Like Hauxwell, Mifsud was inspired by a story he saw on television.
‘My mom and I were watching the news about homeless kids in New York (City),? Mifsud said.
‘We we’re both shocked when we heard that there were 22,000 kids in New York (City) that were homeless,? Mifsud’s mom, Margaret Evans added.
‘This story struck a chord with Aidan, which prompted further (questions) on his part,? explained Evans. ‘This led to a deeper discussion between us, about those who are less fortunate and/or, those who are struck with hardship and for various reasons, find themselves without the things which we often take for granted, such as a roof over out head, warm meals every day, a family or people who love and support us, toys, television, phones, cable, etc.?
Mifsud, whose only gift for his 12th birthday Dec. 5 was $40, asked his mom if he could use that money to buy toys for parents who are unable to provide for them for their children.
Evans said they found a local family in Pontiac to help, a single mother with two daughters. ‘Aidan took a really long time at the store . . . to pick out good toys,? she said. ‘We also provided her with some Christmas decorations, lights and a tree.?
Evans believes Hauxwell’s and Mifsud’s actions are a great testament to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program in Oxford Community Schools.
‘It’s a personal (testament) and recognition of skills learned throughout this program, promoting a child to become a critical and reflective thinker, encouraging connections between their lives and those around us, being put into action,? she said.
Hauxwell agreed that IB has helped him. ‘It has taught me to look outside the box and just take in everything around us,? he said. ‘It’s not just what’s going on in the community.?
Mifsud said he’s learned to be a thinker, caring and ask more questions because of IB.