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JUPITER, Fla. (December 31, 2008) — Peyton Marion, 7, a second-grader at St. Marks, went door to door in his Jupiter neighborhood to collect money for the 33 victims (six families) involved in West Palm Beach’s large-scale apartment fire that occurred on December 20th. The North County Service Center of the American Red Cross in Jupiter received a letter from Peyton penciled in children’s manuscript on a plain sheet of white paper:
“Hello, my name is Peyton Marion. I collected $80 for the families that lost their homes in the recent fire. Please make sure they get this. Merry X-mas. Peyton, age 7”
The letter was dated for Christmas Eve and stapled to a white envelope and holiday card from the Marion family, which befittingly states “Christmas Blessings. Remember the Reason for the Season. Love, Greg, Tracie, McKynsie and Peyton” amongst three photos of the Marions. Peyton delivered the letter, card and money he raised to the Red Cross with his father, Greg.
While his mother, Tracie, was Christmas shopping, the young philanthropist asked his grandmother, who was babysitting, how to spell the word “charity” for a sign he wanted to wear around his neck. By the time Tracie came home, Peyton was eager to walk door to door and flag down cars in The Oaks neighborhood where the family resides. The child began the benevolent mission on his own, determined to celebrate the reason for the season. He raised $80.00 for the American Red Cross by knocking on about 12 doors. Local neighbors told Peyton’s mother they couldn’t say no to such a sweet and talented salesman.
The $80 will go to the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter’s Disaster Relief Fund that the organization uses to provide immediate emergency needs to victims of natural disasters. If you would like to give to the local Red Cross by donating money or time in the spirit of the season, please call (561) 833-7711.
