Current:Home > FinanceA Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help. -PrimeFinance
A Texas 2nd grader saw people experiencing homelessness. She used her allowance to help.
View
Date:2025-04-26 13:49:04
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! (1672)
Related
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Federal prison counselor agrees to plead guilty to accepting illegal benefits from wealthy inmate
- Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron retires after 19 seasons
- Rep. Maxwell Frost on Gen-Z politics and the price tag of power
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- This Congressman-elect swears by (and on) vintage Superman
- Biden administration sues Texas over floating border barriers used to repel migrants
- Women's labor comeback
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- From 'Dreamgirls' to 'Abbott Elementary,' Sheryl Lee Ralph forged her own path
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- What's making us happy: A guide to your weekend viewing, listening and reading
- Education Department opens investigation into Harvard’s legacy admissions
- We Spoil 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery'
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- We've got a complicated appreciation for 'Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical'
- We've got a complicated appreciation for 'Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical'
- Biden's DOJ sues Texas over floating barrier, update on 'fake electors': 5 Things podcast
Recommendation
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
Raven-Symoné Reveals She Has Psychic Visions Like That's So Raven Character
An ode to cribbage, the game that taught me a new (love) language
Flooding closes part of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport concourse
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Gangsta Boo, a former member of Three 6 Mafia, dies at 43
Venice International Film Festival's 2023 lineup includes Woody Allen, Roman Polanski
Brian Harmon wins British Open for first-ever championship title