Brandon Twp. – When Brandon Township resident Frank Fenton met Ashley Desrochers, he was reminded that there are ‘really good teens? in this world.
‘Ashley is an energetic person on a mission,? said Fenton, adding the teen deserves support in her efforts to help people in need.
Since she was 10, Desrochers, now a Brandon High School senior, fills her after school hours and weekends collecting food, money, and clothing for people in need.
Desrochers? mission, which she calls ‘Making Cents,? was inspired to collect donations for families in need after watching the ‘Feed the Children? commercials when she was younger.
As an only child, Desrochers says she knows what it feels like to sometimes be lonely and says she wants children to know they are not alone.
‘I love doing this.?
‘I have a soft spot in my heart for children so I thought, ‘why don’t I just help on my own.??
Desrochers asks neighbors for money, ‘whatever is reasonable,? but says she prefers collecting items for babies.
In a low pressure campaign, Desrochers goes locally, door-to-door leaving a brochure which explains that every child must have an equal opportunity to have sufficient clothing, basic health care products, and proper nutrition to grow healthy and strong.
In her homemade ‘Making Cents? flyers Desrochers explains that every dollar she collects goes toward the goal to meet a child’s needs, thanking the donor for understanding that ‘Making Cents? provides for that goal.
After her trunk is full, Desrochers says she takes donations to the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund for distribution, although she hopes to, one day deliver the items to the family in person so that she can complete the emotional connection she has developed over the past eight years.
‘I’d like to be able to just say to them that they are not alone in this,? Desrochers said. ‘But I can’t because it’s a confidentiality thing,? she smiled.
She figures she has been able to help more than 50. Judy Henley of the St. Anne Food Pantry says Desrochers? support has been very much appreciated.
Desrochers says her soft spot for children was inspired by her second grade teacher, Darla Davert, whose compassion in the classroom has encouraged Desrochers to someday attend Oakland University to become an elementary teacher.
As a poignant reminder that history does repeat itself, 47 year old Frank Fenton spent his entire high school sophomore year going door-to-door collecting money to help send 60 teens to study music in Europe.
To contribute to the cycle of ‘making cents? for children call Ashley Desrochers at (248) 628-7268.