CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

7-year-old launches drive to assist Wounded Warriors

Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, PA) - 9/22/2014

Sept. 21--One day, 7-year-old Joulia came home from school inspired. She was on a mission.

"She says, 'Oh grandma -- something happened at school,' " recalled Joulia's grandmother, Polly Sigrist of Ashville.

" 'My teacher says there's not enough people helping the Wounded Warriors.'

" 'Did you know they protect our country?' " she asked Sigrist.

Joulia wanted to help veterans.

Her granddaughter's conviction was touching, Sigrist said.

And, since Sigrist had spent years raising money for the cancer fight, she figured she would be the best person to help Joulia reach out for donations to the veterans aid program.

Using sets of Swarovski crystals, pearls and other jewelry-making materials given to Joulia for Christmas, trinket baskets were made and raffled off at a family-and-friends-only Wounded Warrior Project benefit in October.

It was a smash, Sigrist said, and they were able to write a check for $1,000.

Sigrist's son, currently stationed in Germany, added to the donation and took the baskets to Landstuhl, Germany, for a celebration of the project's 10th anniversary.

"They were just so surprised and happy," Sigrist said. "These wounded soldiers could not get over it."

Sigrist said they started calling 7-year-old Joulia the "littlest Wounded Warrior helper in the world."

A special commemorative certificate from the organization is on its way, she added.

Their initial success inspired a larger, more formalized event -- "Joulia's Basket Raffle and Jewelry" -- happening 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.Sept. 28, at the Ashville VFW Post 4315, 158 Main St.

Luncheon tickets are $5, and that includes finger foods and drinks.

Sigrist estimated they've already put together about 125 baskets for the drawings, taking place at 4 p.m.

A Beerbower watch, a king-size imported mink blanket and a matching jewelry set from Prospector Jewelers in Martinsburg will be up for grabs. Local businesses have also chipped in prizes like home alarm systems or free window installations, she said.

Sigrist said the donation total is already larger than last year's haul, and the event is a week away. Several local organizations have written their own checks toward Joulia's proceeds, including Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 of Pittsburgh, the Patton and Gallitzin branches of the American Legion, the Patton Loyal Order of Moose and the host VFW post in Ashville, which gave Joulia her first check.

"The guys said, 'We're going to kick this off real good,' " Sigrist said. "And they did."

The community has been very giving, Sigrist said. She couldn't contain her excitement during her phone interview with The Tribune-Democrat.

"I've always taught my kids and my grandkids (that) if they needed something or wanted help, all they have to do is ask," she said.

Justin Dennis is a multimedia reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5060. Follow him on Twitter @JustinDennis.

___

(c)2014 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)

Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services