Local People
- Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 February 2013 21:28
By Christen M. Stroh
Connor Vaccari wants what many up-and-coming 7-year-olds want for their birthdays – clothes, toys, shoes, cash – but the 1st grader from Monongahela doesn’t want to keep it.
Connor Vaccari wants what many up-and-coming 7-year-olds want for their birthdays – clothes, toys, shoes, cash – but the 1st grader from Monongahela doesn’t want to keep it.
 Connor, Vaccari, son of Donna and Aaron Vaccari, is establishing a disaster relief fund with donations he’s receiving in lieu of presents for his 7th birthday.
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Connor has established his own cause – Connor’s Cause – and is asking people to donate to his cause in lieu of traditional birthday presents so he can help kids who really need it. He plans on donating all items collected to the Monongahela Community Disaster Fund, which will help families who have suffered a loss by providing immediate relief.
The fund itself is something for which Connor can already take credit – upon hearing his request to want to donate to children in need, Connor’s mother, Donna Vaccari, asked Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics what types of donations the city needed most. One of Connor’s requests when setting this up was to be able to physically take everything to the donation site himself, rather than ship it out to someplace he didn’t know. Mayor Kepics established the fund to help those who suffer loss through fires, floods, etc. and really need urgent help, before insurance companies can assist. The fund will be officially established at the February Monongahela Council meeting and will begin with Connor’s donation.
Connor’s birthday – February 22nd – falls after his parents’ and siblings’ birthdays, all in January. To plan all the birthday festivities, the family spends time at the beginning of January discussing what everyone wants to do to celebrate each birthday. Connor thought about it, and, asking only for a violin, said that if he got anything else at his party, he’d like to donate it, because he got a lot of toys for Christmas. Donna believes seeing family friend Madison Huschak successfully collect and donate toys at Christmastime inspired Connor, though he has not said this himself.
“He’s a very giving kid. He’s never been selfish, and I’m not surprised that this is something that he would want to do,” said Donna. “I’m just a little surprised he thought of it at the age of 7. For someone so little, he’s got big ideas.”
Connor’s Cause will be collecting new blankets, shoes and clothes for newborns through teenagers, and money through February 22nd. Cash donations will be used to buy gift cards for from Wal-mart. Items can be dropped off at or shipped to Knick Knacks & Paddy Wacks, 443 W. Main Street, Monongahela. For more information, please call 724-797-5236 or visit Connor’s Cause on Facebook.
The fund itself is something for which Connor can already take credit – upon hearing his request to want to donate to children in need, Connor’s mother, Donna Vaccari, asked Monongahela Mayor Bob Kepics what types of donations the city needed most. One of Connor’s requests when setting this up was to be able to physically take everything to the donation site himself, rather than ship it out to someplace he didn’t know. Mayor Kepics established the fund to help those who suffer loss through fires, floods, etc. and really need urgent help, before insurance companies can assist. The fund will be officially established at the February Monongahela Council meeting and will begin with Connor’s donation.
Connor’s birthday – February 22nd – falls after his parents’ and siblings’ birthdays, all in January. To plan all the birthday festivities, the family spends time at the beginning of January discussing what everyone wants to do to celebrate each birthday. Connor thought about it, and, asking only for a violin, said that if he got anything else at his party, he’d like to donate it, because he got a lot of toys for Christmas. Donna believes seeing family friend Madison Huschak successfully collect and donate toys at Christmastime inspired Connor, though he has not said this himself.
“He’s a very giving kid. He’s never been selfish, and I’m not surprised that this is something that he would want to do,” said Donna. “I’m just a little surprised he thought of it at the age of 7. For someone so little, he’s got big ideas.”
Connor’s Cause will be collecting new blankets, shoes and clothes for newborns through teenagers, and money through February 22nd. Cash donations will be used to buy gift cards for from Wal-mart. Items can be dropped off at or shipped to Knick Knacks & Paddy Wacks, 443 W. Main Street, Monongahela. For more information, please call 724-797-5236 or visit Connor’s Cause on Facebook.
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