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Oakfield student collects books for children at Roswell Cancer Institute

By Alecia Kaus

Alea Williams wanted to do something for all the sick children in the hospital for Christmas this year. A fifth-grade student at Oakfield Alabama, Alea decided to start a book drive around Thanksgiving. 

The drive is called Books for Cancer and Alea was motivated to begin the drive after meeting Austin Heineman, whose dad is friends with her mom. A  2012 Pembroke High School graduate, Austin has been fighting a rare juvenile cancer since 2011.

Alea's mom and dad, Dawn and Chad Williams, helped her make donation boxes and her teachers helped her distribute fliers at school. After only a few short weeks, Alea was able to collect five boxes full of books, crayons, coloring books and coloring supplies. Donation boxes were set up at Jagged Edges Salon, The Farm, Center Stage Dance, AAkron Rule, and at Alea's school.

Today, Alea and her family collected the donation boxes and brought them to Roswell Cancer Institute in Buffalo. The pediatric Christmas Party takes place Dec. 16 and Alea wanted the children there to enjoy a new book in time for Christmas.

The book drive will continue throught Dec. 18 and books will still be accepted at the above locations until then.

Alea with her mom and dad, Dawn and Chad Williams, picking up a donation box.

Irene Will

What a nice KID !!!!! Congratulations to Dawn and Chad for raising such a thoughtful child. VERY nice Christmas story !!!!!

Dec 13, 2013, 8:45am Permalink

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