WEST ORANGE, Nj — Charity does not have an age limit. Living proof of this is Charlee Heinrich, the 11 year old fifth grader at Kelly Elementary. Upon reading the novel, “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, featuring the main character start a fundraiser to build water wells in Sudan, Heinrich was inspired to do the same, starting her own fundraiser for the Water for South Sudan foundation.

“Well the book was about the struggles of people in Sudan,” Heinrich stated, “They had to flee from their homes during a war, couldn’t access water and had to walk 8 hours to drink from a dirty lake twice a day. The main character started a fundraiser in the book and inspired me to do the same.”

Heinrich didn’t do all of this alone, however. She is also receiving help from her parents and her teacher, Ms. Amy Pacifico. They’re making fast progress, as well, having raised over $400 in a few weeks.

“We send the money we raise through the credit card and they use it to build wells to access water,” Charlee said.

Heinrich plans on keeping the fundraiser open for about a year, with the goal of raising $10,000. She isn’t stopping there, however, as she plans on holding many more fundraising events in the future, including a banquet/bake sale in Teaneck and the sale of water for people to donate at Redwood Elementary School, though there are no set dates. Remember to donate to Water for South Sudan.