Four Mapleton Township girls are hoping their efforts to make and sell handbags can help alleviate the financial burden on the family of their friend, Sheyanne O’Donnell of Arthur, who has cancer.
Grade 5 students Tate Driscoll, Abby Wiens, Brittany Culling and Jana Bieman had planned to make fabric “tie bags” and sell them at their respective schools for some extra spending money.
But when they found out about the plight of 10-year-old Sheyanne, who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma, Jana suggested the group instead donate the $5 from each sale to help the O’Donnell family.
The other girls quickly agreed and set out on their fundraiser – about which word is already spreading throughout Mapleton and north Wellington County.
“It’s pretty good to see,” said Tate’s father, Neil Driscoll, who noted people are already donating and calling to find out how they can help.
Last weekend the Moorefield Optimist Club, of which Driscoll is a member, donated $100 to the cost of material.
A local business has also agreed to help cover some costs and the group has received a generous discount from Spinrite in Listowel.
Officials with the local GEMS Girls Club, from where the bag idea originated, have also expressed an interest in helping to make the purses.
Sheyanne’s aunt, Cindy Ecclestone, said her niece is well aware of the bag fundraiser being organized by the Mapleton girls.
“She smiled … she thought that was great,” Ecclestone said of Sheyanne’s reaction when first told about the fundraiser. “It was very nice of them to do that.”
Driscoll said the four Mapleton girls spent a good portion of their March break making the purses, despite the allure of unseasonably warm weather.
“They were just working like little troopers,” said Driscoll. “I was proud of these girls to think of the idea.”
The goal is to make and sell 100 bags over the next few weeks in order to present the O’Donnell family with at least $500 to put towards expenses incurred while dealing with Sheyanne’s illness, particularly costs to travel back and forth to McMaster hospital in Hamilton, as well as lost wages for her parents.
The girls are thankful for any help they receive in their quest to help Sheyanne, who they played ball against but have befriended nonetheless. Ecclestone said the family is very thankful for the help of the Mapleton girls, as well as others in and around Arthur who have offered help or scheduled some other type of fundraiser.
“It’s been unbelievable how the community and so many people have reached out to Sheyanne,” said Ecclestone.
“It’s been just incredible … our family’s very appreciative of the support.”
She explained Sheyanne has been in and out of hospital since she was first diagnosed with cancer last month. The 10-year-old was expected to begin her second round of chemotherapy this week.
“It’s been quite a battle,” said Ecclestone. “We just never imagined this … it’s been very difficult.”
As could be expected, Sheyanne’s parents, Kevin and Rebecca O’Donnell, have spent a large majority of their time on the road or at the hospital with their daughter – and in addition to the obvious emotional strain and worry, the costs are mounting, Ecclestone explained.
Yet despite it all, the family, which also includes six-year-old Brittney, has remained in relatively good spirits.
“They seem pretty strong,” said Ecclestone.
She added Sheyanne, at first taken aback by the News, is now acting more like herself, even joking around with nurses from time to time.
The handbags are available for sale at Studio Factor in Drayton or by calling the Driscolls at 519-638-3252.
The girls are hoping more businesses will come forward and offer to sell the bags to ensure they are available at several locations.
