A ‘refreshing’ outlook; Khmer NZ News Media would like to thanks for your generousity, WELL DONE

Jonathan Whitby of West Norriton sells several waters to Alison Pikalyuk on Friday. Jonathan’s mother has a cousin that visited Cambodia for a year and discovered a village in need. It costs $150 just to send a package to Cambodia, so Jonathan and his family are trying to raise money to send school supplies and toys there. The Whitby family will be collecting donations, selling waters and Ty toys through Sunday of this week. This was Jonathan’s idea of a way to help others in need. Andrea J. Stanley/The Times Herald

Samantha Whitby stands on West Main St. in Norristown holding up a sign that reads 'Please help me make a difference' on Friday. She is the sister of Jonathan Whitby. Andrea J. Stanley/The Times Herald

A collage of pictures from the village that the proceeds will be sent to rests on Jonathan’s stands. Andrea J. Stanley/The Times Herald

via Khmer NZ

Published: Friday, July 23, 2010

By GARY PULEO
Times Herald Staff

WEST NORRITON — A buck was all it took for folks to stay hydrated in Friday afternoon’s shirt-soaking heat while helping a good cause at the same time.

Even though he’s just 10 years old, Jonathan Whitby was so moved by stories he heard about poverty in Cambodia he decided to get a little fundraising chill going right outside his West Main Street home.

Early Friday afternoon he and his mom began selling icy bottles of spring water and frosty cans of Pepsi to thirsty pedestrians and drivers who pulled over when they spotted the sign.

The crowd got to view a photo board Gina had put up depicting Cambodian children with Beanie Babies that had been donated through missionaries’ efforts.

The colorful toys were all the rage with the kids, who are deprived of many necessities but snuggled up quickly to these little amenities that many other children take for granted.

“Our cousin Glenn went over to Cambodia for a year and saw how much they needed help,” Gina said. “He worked with missionaries at the church who were sponsoring some of the families so the kids could go to school.”

Inspired by the kids’ love of Beanie Babies, Gina and Jonathan went to a discount outlet nearby and bought more than 100 Beanie Baby bears to send to Cambodia, along with school supplies and flip-flops.

Gina quickly found out that these purchases cost her next to nothing compared to the price of getting them to their destination.

“It will cost $150 to ship one box,” Gina noted. “And the box is not that big. But it can make such a difference over there. We’re trying to raise the money for the shipment with the water and soda sales.”

Though a few people were buying five bottles at a time, Gina said business was a little sluggish compared to her predictions for the weekend.

“I think because it’s a weekday and people are just trying to get home from work it’s not as good as it will be on Saturday and Sunday,” she said, adding that the stand at 1453 W. Main St., Jeffersonville, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Gary Puleo can be reached at 610-272-2500, ext. 205, or gpuleo@timesherald.com .