KELLIE GEIST/STAFF
Veterans Service Commission Board of Directors
member Robert Derr presents a plaque to Cameron
Williams for her efforts supporting the troops.
A local girl has raised more than $1,000 for care packages for troops by selling homemade jewelry at less than $3 each.
Cameron Williams, 10, of Amelia, started raising money to help the troops Jan. 25, 2008. While attending a Native American pow wow, she decided she would draw pictures and sell her artwork to raise money.
"When she told me she was going to sell drawings I thought, 'Yeah, like that's going to work,'" said Joan Yager, Cameron's mother. "Then she came to me with a handful of money and I thought, 'Well, maybe something like this could really work.'
The $38 Cameron raised that first night was donated to the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
After that, Yager recommended Cameron make jewelry to sell instead of pictures. Her parents donated the supplies, so all the money Cameron raises goes directly to the United Service Organizations to be used for care packages.
Cameron named her project WOLF, which stands for Warriors Open Lines of Freedom. She turned 10 on Nov. 6 and, two days later, Cameron hit the $1,000 mark. "It's been hard to raise all the money, to get all the care packages sent ... But I'm proud," Cameron said. "They are fighting for our freedom and I wanted to help."
Although her efforts to help the troops started in early 2008, her desire to help others has always been one of her traits. When she was 5 and would have to go to the doctor, Cameron, regardless of how sick she felt, would always make the effort to read to the younger children in the waiting room. Then, at age 7, Cameron learned to make balloon animals and would make them for other children.
When she started going to pow wows the following year, Cameron would make balloon animals for the kids and even help the vendors set up shop. "I have always tried to instill in Cameron to help others, to treat them like she would like to be treated ... It seems to have worked," Yager said in a letter to the Veterans Service Commission.
Cameron was given a commemorative plaque at the Veterans Service Commission Board of Director's meeting Dec. 10.
"Long after those here are gone, we'll be turning this country over to people like you," Veterans Service Commission Director Dan Bare told Cameron at the meeting. "I know the board truly appreciates it when they see a young person doing something like what you've done ... We all know how important those care packages are."
As of Dec. 10, Cameron had raised $1,050, not including the first $38, and has no plans to stop. "I'm very proud of what she's been able to do. She's a very special little girl," Yager said. "There have been a few times when I've just broken down in tears because it's such a good thing she's doing."
Anyone who would like to donate to Cameron's cause can call 513-753-4190.
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