Boy gives $15K from hog sale to hospital for children
An Ohio seventh grader whose generosity has gone viral is being hailed as a hero by his school district for donating thousands to a children’s hospital.
Western Reserve Local Schools on Saturday posted about Diesel Pippert, 12, who donated all of his livestock premiums from the large animal sale at the Huron County (Ohio) Fair to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
He raised $15,000, according to the school district.
“A young man lives amongst us who should be an example to us all,” Western Reserve Local Schools posted on Facebook. The district added, “Diesel, you are a hero!”
Cynthia Gardner of American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said Diesel’s “kindness demonstrates that age does not limit kids from fundraising and making a difference in the lives of other children battling cancer at St. Jude.”
“Diesel’s compassion and generosity are to be commended,” Gardner said in a statement to USA TODAY.
Mother Erin Sanders told CNN that Diesel had heard that a teen in nearby Medina County donated $11,000 from a hog auction to the nonprofit children’s hospital and that her son wanted to raise more with his hog.
After Diesel told the crowd at the fair about his plans, the first bid started at $500 and soon rose to $15,000, Sanders told the network.
She said she hopes that her son, who regularly auctions animals at the fair, will continue to donate his earnings to St. Jude.
“Our hearts are full of joy,” she told CNN. “He’s a remarkable young man.”