Meet this 8-year-old super volunteer from Tioga County
Averie Walkley of Barton juggles shopping for toys and other items, packing them in backpacks and doing her spelling homework.
Only 8 years old, she is already a veteran volunteer for Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga. She loves to see the smiles on the faces of the children she helps, most not much older than she is.
“It feels good to make people happy,” she said.
Every year, Averie and her family pick a local organization to collect donations for during the holiday season, her mother, Justina Walkley said. Last year they chose Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties and bought towels, toys, comforters and other items.
The family, which includes her father, Greg, and 3-year-old brother, Zachary, visited one of their programs that received the family’s donations: A Place to Call Home, a transitional home for women who are escaping abuse, recovering from addiction or are homeless.
“After that visit, we got into the car and Averie said, ‘Mom, they talked a lot about the women but what about the kids?’” Justina Walkley said.
Justina Walkley called the house and found that the women moving out are given items such as towels, bedding and cleaning supplies to help them transition to their new home, but their children usually don’t get anything. Averie decided to change that. She used her birthday money to buy toys, books, coloring books and games for the children. She stored everything in backpacks and named the program New Beginnings Backpack Program for Kids.
“She is so caring,” her mother said. “She puts others well before herself. I’m so proud to see her make those decisions on her own.”
So far Averie, with some help from her family, has given away two backpacks to children leaving for a permanent home. But she plans to give away more. There are now six women and two children living at A Place Called Home. When the families are ready to leave, they will receive a backpack from Averie.
“So they can leave with something fun to bring to their new home,” Averie said of the children she helps. “They can have a great life.”
Averie and her family continue to volunteer at A Place Called Home.
“It’s been a nice opportunity for us all,” her mother said.
Her hard work, caring and compassion impressed Michelle McLaren, development assistant at Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga.
“She is just such a sweet, sweet girl,” McLaren said. “Kindness like this doesn’t have a limit. You don’t have to be a certain age in order to show you care.”
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Averie’s mother said her daughter is learning important lessons from volunteering at the transitional home.
“It doesn’t take a lot to get involved,” Justina Walkley said. “Just showing up and showing your support for something is so beneficial, too.”
Averie and her family are always willing to help wherever they can. In a few weeks, they will volunteer at a back-to-school party hosted by Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga. They will be handing out backpacks to children in need and wishing every child a great return to school.
More about Averie Walkley
Home and hometown: Barton
Age: 8
Education: Will be in third-grade at Tioga Elementary School in the fall
Family: Parents, Greg and Justina Walkley
If you go: A back-to-school party featuring free backpacks, school supplies and haircuts will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Aug. 21 at the Tioga Central School campus, 27 Fifth Ave., Tioga Center.
How to Help: To volunteer or donate to the back-to-school party or to A Place Called Home, contact: Michelle McLaren, Development Assistant, Catholic Charities Tompkins Tioga; michelle.mclaren@dor.org, 607-272-5062 ext. 311.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Barton, NY 8-year-old collects donations for backpack program
