Coronavirus: 8-year-old twins donate allowance to help others during pandemic

Jaron and Kylin are 8-year-old twins who live in Shoreline, Washington. Each week, the children receive $8 in allowance, as many dollars as they are old.

They divide the money into three parts: money to save, money to share and money to spend.

Earlier this month, the pair decided to donate their allowance to help others.

According to Seattle's KIRO-TV, Jaron sent his $44 to Food Lifeline, a nonprofit that provides meals to those in need. "Because since coronavirus, people can't go to the store as much, so I'm donating money to help," Jaron said.

Kylin sent $75 to Pediatric Interim Care Center in Kent, which cares for babies born addicted to drugs. "So they can grow up to be their best selves," said Kylin.

The children also wrote letters explaining their donations.

“Dear Food Lifeline,” Jaron wrote. “My name is Jaron. I am 8 years old. I am writing because I want to donate $44 of my allowance money to help get food to people. Thank you for letting me help! Sincerely, Jaron."

”Dear PICC," Kylin wrote. “My name is Kylin. I am 8 years old. I am writing because I want to donate $75 of my allowance money to help babies that were exposed. Thank you for letting me help! Sincerely, Kylin.”

The letters offered encouragement to people working to help some of the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The timing was perfect for Food Lifeline, scrambling to meet the growing need in the community.

“It is just so heart-stirring, so inspiring for our team at Food Lifeline. It’s those moments that really keep us going at these difficult times,” said Linda Nageotte, CEO of Food Lifeline.

"Jaron, we appreciate your generosity and your giving spirit. We hope you know that your letter is keeping us going, so thank you."

Food Lifeline said the demand is impossible to meet, and they are doing all they can. The National Guard is helping.

In Kent at Pediatric Interim Care Center, founder Barbara Drennen opened Kylin’s letter.

“I was very, very touched by it,” said Drennen.

She said it is an especially emotional time at PICC. Due to coronavirus, the parents and grandparents are unable to see the babies as they undergo withdrawal from drugs.

“That’s very sad and very emotional. We have a lot of different emotions here. We shed a lot of tears and a lot of happiness, also,” Drennen said.

Drennen said the center had to cancel its annual fundraiser luncheon with 700 guests. It is looking for community support and needs disinfecting wipes for counters and cribs.

Jaron and Kylin’s mom is thankful for her children’s big hearts.

"We are just so proud of our kids who have these big hearts, and are learning at a much younger age than I did for sure, what it means to be fortunate and have the things we need," said Sarah.

The twins are glad they were able to help others.

“I feel like I did a good thing,” Jaron said with a smile.

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