Middletown Kids Raise $2K For SPCA By Selling Homemade Crafts

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — In December, five students at Nut Swamp Elementary School raised an incredible $1,248 selling homemade crafts, all of which the local kids plan to donate to the Monmouth County SPCA.

And as if that wasn't great enough, their gift may be matched by the company one of their parents works for.

The children plan to drop off a check at the Monmouth County SPCA for a total of $2,496. A portion of the money will also go to the St. Jude's Children Foundation.

It all started with Marlowe Schorr, a fifth grader at Nut Swamp. For the past five years now — ever since she was in first grade — this Middletown girl has been raising money by selling her handmade crafts around the holidays, says her mom, Cybele Schorr. Incredibly, she donates what she makes every year to the Monmouth County SPCA.

"When she was in first grade she donated $18 and got a sweet little certificate," said her mom. "Last year in fourth grade she donated more than $100 and paid for the adoption fees of a cat."

But things really kicked into high gear in the 2019 holiday season, when Marlowe recruited her little brother, Max, who is second grade at Nut Swamp, plus three of her friends in the fifth grade.

The other children involved are Mia Collins, Lilah Nicosia and Emma Merces. In December, all five hosted a holiday fundraising shop at the Schorr family's Middletown home. All the children's handmade crafts were put on display for purchase, plus homemade baked goods were for sale.

Schorr invited other parents, kids in the neighborhood and friends to stop by, but said she had no idea how much the kids would sell that day.

"The fundraiser was held at our home in Middletown on Saturday, December 14 for two hours. They also held a bake sale," said Schorr. "Many friends stopped by, and by posting on Facebook, friends and family who are not local were able to support the kids."

"The five children combined earned a staggering amount of money — over $1,000 at this point and the figure is still rising!" she said.

Schorr said her daughter had been working on the Dec. 14 craft sale since January of 2018.

Marlowe made beaded bracelets, leather necklaces, key chains, earrings, wind chimes and dream catchers. Her little brother Max made homemade candles. The other girls who joined in made beaded bracelets and rings, and all the girls made personalized beaded bracelets.

Schorr said her daughter loves to craft; she just finished making more than 25 name bracelets as party favors for a 4-year-old's birthday party.

The mom said the kids planned to present the check to the Monmouth County SPCA this past Friday, and also take a tour of the facility.