Hawken Student Donates $13,000 for Kids in Need

You`re never too young to become a philanthropist and want to help others in need, as one Middle School student with a big heart discovered recently. While planning his Bar Mitzvah this past spring, seventh grader Dane Adelman spoke with his parents, Jodi and Joel Adelman, about how he didn`t really need any more \"stuff\" for himself. He wanted to try to do something to help other kids instead. His parents suggested he research local children`s organizations as possibilities on the Internet. Dane and his two older sisters, Chelsea and Samantha, were all former Summer Day Campers for several years at Hiram House Camp, on Hiram Trail, in Moreland Hills, Ohio. The camp serves children, schools, churches, civic and youth groups each year through a variety of summer day and resident camps, fall through spring school camps and year-round group retreats. Dane remembered how much fun he had as a summer camper during his seasons there. He also remembered there were other children he met while he was at Hiram House whose families didn`t have the financial means to send them to camp. When he looked up the Hiram House Web site and learned about the camp`s annual \"Campership Fund,\" which enables children in need to attend a summer camp, Dane had found what he was looking for. And so, on his Bar Mitzvah invitations, Dana asked his guests if they would send a donation for Hiram House Camp in lieu of gifts. His family, friends and classmates responded in a big way. As hundreds of checks began pouring in over the coming weeks, Dane and his parents were \"completely blown away\" by the generosity of his guests. By the time of his Bar Mitzvah, Dane had received an amazing total of $13,000 in donations earmarked for the Hiram House \"Campership Fund.\" Recently, Dane and his family presented these donations to Hiram House Board of Trustees President John D. Barrett, Executive Director Russell R. Grundke and camp staff and were given a tour of camp, Hiram House tee-shirts and a plaque. Camp officials said they were \"overwhelmed by his generosity,\" especially for such a young person and that Dane`s donation would help support many boys and girls next summer. \"On behalf of Hiram House and the children we serve, we would like to express our deepest thanks to Dane, Mr. and Mrs. Adelman and their family and friends,\" said Grundke, telling the Adelman`s they should be \"very proud of their son.\" Dane added he was \"excited to be able to help other children attend the camp and have all the fun he had.\"