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Avon middle school student raises hundreds of dollars for Malachi House through school project

Posted at 7:10 PM, Jan 03, 2018
and last updated 2018-01-03 19:10:53-05

At 13 years old, Archie Kenny isn't sure what he wants to do in life. But, he has already made a difference in the lives of many.

"I'm very proud," said his mother Becky Kenny.

There is a brick house on Clinton Avenue in Cleveland that is more than just a house, it's Malachi House, a home to those who are terminally ill and in need. 

"We are supported by individuals, corporations and foundations. If we don't have donations, we have to purchase them," said Malachi House Executive Director Judy Hilow. 

Archie Kenny is an eighth grader at St Mary School in Avon. He had a confirmation project to do — a project that turned in a mission to help others."

"As we got the idea and decided to research it, Archie discovered it was 100 percent non-profit and volunteer," said Becky Kenny. He wanted to be one of the people who helped, added his mother. 

Archie left dozens of empty grocery bags and flyers on his neighbor's doorsteps. He asked them to fill the bags with donations for Malachi House. His neighbors responded.

Archie and his brother rounded up the donations, but that wasn't all.  

"In my school, I asked the principal to have a dress down day for a dollar. We raised $400," said Archie Kenny.

Fifty bags of groceries and $400 goes a long way at Malachi House.

"It lasts us for months and months," said Hilow. 

"It's way better than any Christmas present, to show that people do care," said Archie Kenny.