George School Student Puts Needy Children First

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Mallory Aurichio, 9,

Accomplishment:

This fourth-grader from Washington Township put other children's needs ahead of her own. Instead of only donating her own clothes, she decided to hold a warm clothing drive for a Big Brothers Big Sisters program, Clothes For Kids. Mallor also wanted to go with her mother to delivered the coats and warm clothing to the Big Brothers Big Sisters in Denville, Dec. 11.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness:

Mallory displays compassion and an interest in helping others. Her mother, Lisa, encourages Mallory's willingness to help other children in need. She plays the trombone in band at George School. Mallory has also been dancing at Just Off Broadway for two years, and plays soccer.

Q&A with Mallory:

• What made you want to hold this collection?

Me and my mom were looking at my old coats in the beginning of winter and my mom said, "These coats don't fit, do you want to donate them?" And I said, "yes, but how about we get more coats and donate them to more places."

• Tell me about your coat collection.

We got over 100 coats and we got a lot of other winter clothes too. We got ski pants, hats, scarves, gloves, boots and coats.

• Who did you collect these clothes for?

I collected them for Big Brothers Big Sisters. It's a organization for people who have parents that are working a lot so they go with these people that they call Big Brothers Big Sisters.

• Why did you choose Big Brothers Big Sisters for your donation?

We knew there were a lot of kids there and we knew they didn't have coats.

• When did you start your collection?

In the beginning of winter. The last week in November when we got back from Thanksgiving. It was two-weeks long. It ended December 9.

• What's your favorite thing about school?

Sometimes in science we do experiments. I like that I get to see my friends and they have fun things to do at school sometimes. I also like to go to art class. Right now we're doing this paper mache thingy. We get these strips and put them in water.

• How did you have time to do this coat collection and dance, play soccer and get all of your schoolwork done?

I decided that I would decorate a big box and so we put it by the office so that when people walk in they could drop off some clothes. We had to e-mail the principal. And we also made flyers.

• What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a scientist, a chef, a magician, and the President of the United States. I can't do it all at once though, it depends how it goes.