Cassie believes in the
power of the wish

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Stacks of board games and crates filled with toys make the playroom at the Healy home in Pine Valley look like your average children’s domain.
But the focus in the room lately has been more on business than on play for 5-year-old Catherine "Cassie" Healy, a student at Greenberg Elementary School.
On a recent weekday, the little entrepreneur dug through boxes of brightly colored buttons and bundles of string to demonstrate how she manufactures her product — necklaces.
"I just held a string and put a button on," Cassie said, explaining how she got the idea in mid-January.
But the jewelry isn’t just for show. After mom Kathleen wore a necklace to her job at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and clipped her ID to it, her co-workers asked to buy some.
Soon, more employees — even some men — clamored for the colorful, functional creations. They sold for $3 a pop, and before long Cassie had collected nearly $500 in profits.
But instead of pocketing the cash for toys or candy, young Cassie told mom she wanted to give it to the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The organization grants wishes like trips and celebrity encounters to children between the ages of 2-1/2 and 18 who are coping with life-threatening illnesses.
"We never expected it to turn into this," said Kathleen Healy, who works as a pediatric nurse at CHOP. "I see the kids it helps. I’m proud of her."
The redheaded Cassie, who takes Irish dance lessons and gymnastics classes, says the quick interest in her product made her a little nervous.
"I was scared," Cassie said of having to make more necklaces.
She said she never thought about using the money for herself.
"I said, ‘I’ll send it to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.’ They help sick kids," Cassie explained.
Since she decided to raise funds for the organization, Cassie has hired some help — her mom, dad Bill, 7-year-old brother Billy, and 3-year-old sister Claire — and about 90 classmates at Greenberg Elementary.
The kindergarten classes at the school have already filled a 50-item order for the project, which Cassie calls "Buttons for Wishes."
"It’s a great activity, because (the kids) can do it themselves," said Eileen Simmons, Cassie’s teacher. "Children need to learn at this age to give, not just to get."
Rebecca Reid, a development associate for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, has posted Cassie’s endeavor on the Make-A-Wish Web site.
The organization operates the Kids for Wish Kids program for children like Cassie. During the 2005-06 fiscal year, the program brought in more than $3 million in donations to Make-A-Wish.
But Reid said Cassie’s young age and the novelty of her project make her special.
"We haven’t had a child do a project like this," said Reid, adding that most children donate through their schools. "This is actually very unique."
Already a shrewd businesswoman, Cassie makes sure everyone follows her directions when making her necklaces.
"You start in the middle (of the string). You never have the same colors next to each other," she said.
Cassie, whose favorite color is green, has even organized her jewelry into three different collections — multi-colored, pastel, and vintage, the hottest seller. Mom buys the supplies to make the necklaces at craft stores and retail outlets.
But the operation is fully led by Cassie.
"She’s so sure," her mom said of her style and business sense. "You can’t tell her too much."
Kathleen Healy says she’ll let Cassie stop "Buttons for Wishes" whenever she wants. But Cassie — along with her classmates at Greenberg, her teacher confirmed — plan to go at least until the end of the school year. ••
Those interested in donating to the effort are asked to visit the "Buttons for Wishes" listing in the news and events calendar section of the local Make-A-Wish Web site at philadelphia.wish.org/calendar.htm
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com