Student duo raises $1,200 for Children and Youth Services
Butler County Children and Youth Services aids children in emergency situations up to age 18, but on Wednesday, the organization received help from two people within that age demographic.
Tobin Maharg, 10, a student at Emily Brittain Elementary School, and Jonathan Dahl, 9, a student at Sugarcreek Elementary School, donated $1,200 to Children and Youth Services as members of the William C. Graham Manor Squires, a Masonic youth leadership group.
Getting the financial donation, along with a donation of clothing and hygiene items, was inspiring for Charlie Johns, administrator of Butler County Children and Youth Services.
“It was incredible to see that they could conceive of the need of helping kids just like them,” Johns said. “That was easily one of the most inspiring events that I have attended in a while because I think that is a good sign for our community that there are kids who think this way.”
Tobin and Jonathan began gathering supplies on their own in January, and they also sent flyers to branches of Masonic organizations asking for donations. Joyce Rauschenberger, the William C. Graham Manor Squires adviser, said even she was surprised by the response, especially because the organization went into hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the young men said they wanted to do a collection for CYS, I thought we would collect a few dozen pairs of socks, toothbrushes and maybe a couple hundred dollars,” Rauschenberger said. “But instead we raised far more money than I ever thought we would and more items than anticipated.”
The two presented the donation to Children and Youth Services at the Masonic Temple in Butler on Wednesday evening, where they also led a meeting of the Masonic Youth.
Tobin said he joined the organization after hearing Rauschenberger talk about it at school. He said the project for Children and Youth Services came from his shared desire with Jonathan to focus on youth aid.
“I really wanted to help out kids to make sure they have a good home,” Maharg said.
Jonathan agreed, and said his favorite part of the process is yet to come.
“My favorite part of the process is that the children are happy,” Jonathan said.
Johns said Children and Youth Services has around 100 children in foster care, so the money, clothing and hygiene items will go toward making them more comfortable, while the employees complete their work.
Johns also said children may find themselves in foster care suddenly, so it is good for the agency to have supplies ready.
“These are all things we would be able to give children coming into care because oftentimes it's not a planned event,” he said. “So having that stuff on hand to give them during their stay is important.”
Rauschenberger said she hopes the work of the boys inspires others, and that the two continue to inspire one another.
“The boys wanted to help other children who found themselves in bad situations,” Rauschenberger said. “They have been very successful in reaching that goal. If a 9-year-old can accomplish their goal, imagine what these young men will accomplish as they mature.”
Squires can join the Lorraine Chapter Order of DeMolay when they turn 12 years old. DeMolay is a Masonic youth leadership organization for young men between the ages of 12 and 21. The Squire manor in Butler was instituted on April 28, 2018, and is named for William C. Graham, a Lorraine Chapter adviser for many years.
