Student creates 'Triangle of Hope'

Savonne Chatfield of Oak Park, a seventh-grader at Medea Creek Middle School, devised the "Triangle of Hope" for her bat mitzvah tzedakah project.

The "Triangle of Hope" is a plan to raise funds through mailed donation requests for three local nonprofit organizations: Many Mansions, Casa Pacifica and Koegel Autism Center.

Savonne chose organizations that represent a wide range of special needs faced by people in the community to raise awareness about affordable housing, at-risk youth and mental illness. She researched several organizations and chose the ones she "connected with the most."

"I just love the feeling I get when I help other people," Savonne said.

Through her efforts, she raised almost $1,400, which she divided among the three organizations.

In addition to cash donations, Savonne obtained donations of toys and books for Koegel Autism Center.