Eighth-Grader Gives Back With School Supplies

Most kids, when they accumulate a few hundred dollars from their paper routes, start thinking about all the cool things they can buy, especially before school starts up again. Well, eighth-grader Rachel Ellis took a different route there.

The pupil took her hard-earned money and, instead of spending it on herself, bought a bunch of school supplies and donated them all to her school.

Rachel said she spent between $300 and $500 on the supplies, which included everything from paper, notebooks and rulers to erasers, pencils and pens.

"I love my education," Rachel told Peabody Patch, explaining what inspired her generosity. "I wanted others to succeed [as well].

Higgins Principal Todd Bucey said he was happy to receive the donation, which in fact came at just the right time.

Bucey said he and his staff were discussing ways to make sure all students who needed supplies would have them once school started in September, essentially creating a small general stockpile.

"Then Rachel just kind of appeared on the scene," Bucey said -- she sent him over an email in August, asking about donating the materials.

"Rachel's donation will go a long way toward ensuring a successful start to the school year for all Higgins students. A member of student council and a peer mentor to our sixth graders, Rachel's commitment to our school is exceptional and we are fortunate to count her as a member of our community," wrote Bucey in a letter to Superintendent Joe Mastrocola.

Rachel says that in addition to her leadership at school, she also volunteers at the library and Haven from Hunger and plays sports: soccer and track.

The School Committee officially received the donation on Tuesday, offering their thanks and praise to Rachel, and intending to invite her to an upcoming meeting.

"Every donation is always appreciated, but to get a donation like this is unique," said Mastrocola.

And to top it all, Rachel says she'll gladly give more if need be. She spent the past four years doing the paper route and now is earning money babysitting.

"Please let me know and I will be happy to accommodate more!" she wrote to the School Committee.