Marblehead Siblings Bring Hope to Haiti

This week's whiz kids are Josh and Katie Tassinari. To nominate a whiz kid you know, e-mail Katherine@Patch.com or leave a comment in the comment box below. Each Monday, Marblehead Patch will feature a new whiz kid, making a difference. 

Name: Josh and Katie Tassinari

Age: 12, 8 

School: Cohen Hillel Academy

What Makes Him So Awesome? Josh Tassinari and his sister Katie spent a good deal of 2010 on a fund raising project to bring hope to hundreds of Haitian earthquake victims.

In January, Josh saw coverage of the quake and the devastation and his first thoughts were about helping. But how could he raise money and where would that money do the most good? Josh and Katie wasted no time in beginning their efforts. Josh started first with a breakfast cart at his school, Cohen Hillel Academy. It wasn’t a huge money maker but it was something, he said.

During the summer, he continued the efforts at the Marblehead Festival of Arts, setting up a table with his sister Katie and selling baked goods and inspirational bracelets. He also partnered with the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant setting up a table there one night and selling bracelets. The restaurant also donated 10% of that night’s sales to Josh’s cause. In total, Josh and Katie raised close to $500 for Haitian relief, but the question still remained of where the money should go.

In early December of 2010 Josh saw a news article about Marblehead resident Nancy Blaisdell and her co worker Sherline Chery-Morriset who were raising money to bring toys and holiday gifts to the children in Haiti through the nonprofit organization, Sante Fanm Ak Lafanmi Inc.

Josh called them and asked how he could help. He and Katie shopped for toys, clothes and small gifts, spending nearly $300. The rest of the money they raised went to the organization in the form of a cash donation to defray shipping and other costs.

While Josh spent countless hours on the Haitian project, he also found time to play Pee Wee hockey for Marblehead Youth Hockey and  baseball with the Marblehead Youth Baseball league. His sister Katie is 8-years-old and already an accomplished piano player and loves drama.

Way to go Josh and Katie, thank you making Marblehead proud!