In Greenwich, CT, as CNN ran heartbreaking footage scenes of the Haitian earthquake, Sophie Lindh, 9, decided it was a call to action. "She was watching Anderson Cooper and crying, 'We have to do more, let's do more'," said Sophie's mother, Sandy Lindh.
And with determination, Sophie did. Following a presentation of Merlin USA's health work in Port-au-Prince, the Riverside Elementary School 4th grader rallied her fellow Girl Scouts from troop 50100 to join her. Collectively, all 15 Girl Scouts decided to put the entire amount of this year's Girl Scout cookie sales proceeds toward Merlin's Haiti Emergency Appeal.
"It was a really easy decision to make," said Sophie. "I felt really bad for those children who lost their homes and their family-members. They need help with what’s happening. I wanted to help them."
Ultimately, the six Girl Scouts in the 6th grade troop - including Sophie's sister Annabel - jumped on board to help raise funds for Merlin USA too. Sophie noted that all the girls in the troop are excited to be playing a direct role in helping earthquake survivors. "We thought they might need more health care, shelter, food and clean water."
"Sophie was the one who really got us into this," said Sandy, who is also the troop leader alongside Paola Ryckman. Sandy added that the funds donated to Merlin USA would have normally gone toward a Girl Scout outing, a recreational event the girls look forward to. "But they decided to forgo that. They felt strongly that it was more important that their money go to the aid effort in Haiti."
"These are remarkable girls, who have responded in an extraordinary way to help those who need it most in Haiti," said Merlin USA Director, Lucy Dorick.
Cookie deliveries will go out the week of March 6, at which point the Girl Scouts will know the total amount that will go toward Merlin USA's Haiti appeal.
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