Local CMT 9-year-old sets up stand for MDA monies

[Guest guest]

Local 9-year-old sets up stand for MDA monies

By Holly s

Staff Writer

http://zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070817/NEWS01/708170313/1002

ZANESVILLE - Even though 9-year-old Emilee Ross has to deal with the

effects of a muscle disorder, she isn't afraid to reach out and

raise money to help others.

" She has a muscle disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth, and we always

get flyers to help with different fundraisers, " said Margaret Ross,

Emilee's mother. " This is the first year she wasn't embarrassed, and

she said 'Mom, I want to do something,' She's even thrown in her

allowance to help. "

From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Emilee will have a refreshment stand

set up in front of her house, 1730 Ridge Ave., to raise money for

the Jerry Muscular Dystrophy Association Telethon. She will be

selling Kool-Aid, bags of animal crackers and cupcakes. Patrons may

purchase all three delights for $1.

The activity is a family effort, and Emilee will assist with making

homemade cupcakes that will be featured at her stand.

Emilee said she is looking forward to sitting outside in a tent

surrounded by balloons and signs. " I hope I raise a lot of money, as

much as I can get, " she said.

Margaret said even though their neighborhood doesn't see much

traffic, she would like people to make it a point to stop by. " I'm

hoping for at least 20 people, " she said. " Anything helps. "

She also said patrons will be asked to sign a piece of paper

acknowledging their donations. Emilee will present this sheet and a

check with her total earnings on Sept. 3, in Columbus during the

telethon.

The Jerry MDA Telethon is held each Labor Day weekend, and CMT

is one of the diseases covered by the MDA.

With CMT, nerves that control bodily muscles are affected. In

Emilee's case, it affects her arms and legs, and she often loses

muscle tone and feeling in her feet.

As the family prepares for their big day, Margaret said she is

impressed with her daughter's efforts.

" I'm very proud of her, " she said. " She's not a selfish child at

all. With the money she gets from birthdays or anything, she spends

on school clothes, shoes, a comforter for her bed, or gives it to

other kids. She's very selfless. "