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Former classmate sells hairclips for snakebite victim

Published Thursday, February 09, 2012 9:21 AM

By Stefan Rogenmoser
The Gazette

Ellie Sineath knew she had to do something to help when she found out her school friend Zach Szala had been bitten by a rattlesnake. Ellie, 8, a Crowfield resident, decided to make ribbon covered hairclips and flower hairclips.

The ribbon clips, about an inch long, are colorful and filled with various lined patterns, polka dots and argyle.

Ellie sold the clips at a school dance, Metro North Preschool, her dentist’s office (Dr. Brent Humphrey, whose pediatric office is in Crowfield) and the Bi-Lo off St. James Avenue. She enlisted the help of her sister Nora, 5, to help her sell the clips at $3 for the flowered and $1 for the ribbon.

Her mother, April Sineath, said she hopes the message that kids can make a difference will inspire other children. “She would take them everywhere she went,” her mother said.

The goal was to raise $300, a goal reached before the end of January.

Ellie currently attends Northwoods Academy, who matched the amount of money she raised for Zach.

“We were able to give them $600,” Sineath said. “We gave it directly to them.”

Sineath said Zach’s family was very happy about the charitable donation: “They’ve been overwhelmed by the kindness people have shown.”

Although they are no longer schoolmates, Ellie and Zach did attend school together at Metro North Preschool.

Zach attends Howe Hall Arts Infused Elementary School.

“I was just wondering what I could do to help,” Ellie said.

It only took 30 seconds to make each ribbon clip and about a minute to make each flower clip. “It’s not that hard,” she said.

The hair bows are no longer being sold because the fundraising goal was reached and the bow ideas were borrowed temporarily from Carolina Bows, with their knowledge, Sineath said.

They are not going into business to sell bows, it was simply a fundraiser, she added.

“The whole thing is encouraging, knowing that kids can make a difference,” Sineath said. “It’s rewarding to help people. Some people just gave money. Dr. Brent (Humphrey) handed her a $50 bill.”

Zach is continuing to recover. First Federal Bank opened a Zach Szala Recovery Fund. Donations can be made at any branch. The account is under his mother’s name, Elizabeth J. Szala, and ends in 6883.

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