Shorecrest's Sylvia Smith: Meet a 5th-Grader With a Business Plan

ST. PETERSBURG - Many fifth-graders love animals. But not many of them devise a business plan to raise money to help strays.

Then again, Sylvia Smith is no ordinary fifth-grader.

The soon-to-be 11-year-old came up with the idea to make bracelets out of old soda pop tops after finding one of the items in Ohio about six months ago.

After brainstorming with her mom, Sidney, she decided to combine her love of animals with her creative nature in a way that could benefit needy animals.

The result of the collaboration is FoFo’s, or Friends of Friends of Strays. Sylvia and Sidney spend about four hours a week producing the bracelets, as well as bottle cap necklaces and ingenious juice box wallets, and then she sells them at school.

All the proceeds go to the non-profit organization Friends of Strays, which is dedicated to the care and adoption of stray animals.

To date Sylvia has already donated $400 from her sales to the organization. She has another $150 saved to donate at the end of the school year.

“She went door-to-door before Christmas and sold trays full of the wallets,” Sidney said. “I’m really impressed with her drive. I’m proud of her.”

Congratulations to Sylvia Smith, Patch's Whiz Kid of the week!

School activities: Piano, soccer, painting, tennis, swimming.

Community activities: "I sell pop-top bracelets, juice carton wallets and bottle cap necklaces for Friends of Strays."

Your inspiration: "My cats, because they are such amazing beings."

Secret to your success: "A deep-rooted love of animals."

Your role model: "My mom."

Career goal: Artist.

Awesome quote: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France