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Kids in Novi neighborhood work to raise money to help families whose homes were destroyed by fire

Posted at 6:42 PM, Jun 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-29 18:42:58-04

Many were home when they witnessed a fire destroy two homes along Sullivan Lane in Novi, Saturday night - including neighbor Riley Forsyth.

“We ran outside to see what was happening and my parents said it was a house fire and the next day we went to the house and we saw how bad the damage was and we really wanted to help,” said Riley.

So the 9-year-old decided to collaborate with her friend and neighbor Ella Griffin, as well as other neighborhood kids, to raise money by operating a lemonade stand to help the two families suddenly left homeless.

“It really important,” said Ella. “I really want to help them because they lost everything in the fire.”

The simple labor of love has inspired adults to want to help too.

“I like when they stop by and they say it’s a really nice thing that you are doing and they give a lot of money.  Yesterday, we had two people stop by and they gave a $100 bill,” said Ella.

The little lemonade sale, has even attracted firefighters, Novi Police, and a state trooper, all who have wanted to add to the money collection.

“I think we live in a great community for so many people who wanted to help,” said Riley. “We live in a great neighborhood.”

So far the little hard workers have raised $2,500, while learning how it feels to give to others who are in need.

“It makes me feel really good that we can help our community in a bunch of different ways,” said Riley.

The kids have also set up a GoFundMe page to help the families.