Chocolate Fudge & More for Charity

Editor's note:  This article is written by Mary Kate Staunton, a 7th grader at the Jared Eliot Middle School in Clinton. 

Are you an adult or child who thinks kids can’t make a difference in their community? Local 7th grader Andie Carse proves otherwise. She makes a variety of different fudge such as peanut butter, chocolate, chocolate-peanut butter, pumpkin, and chocolate-peppermint each year and donates the money earned from selling it to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells. In 2000, 256,000 children and adults around the world developed some type of leukemia, and 209,000 of those diagnosed died from it. There is no known cure, but people all around the world, including Andie, are trying to make a difference to find one. In the last 60 years, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society raised $855 million for research to find a cure for this awful disease.

When Andie’s close family friend died from leukemia in the fall of 2011, Andie and her family sprang into action. Andie used her excellent baking skills to create her famous fudge, and then sells it for money to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Her small business is made possible with the help of her family. Her parents tell their co-workers about their daughter’s fantastic fudge, and her brother and she tell their classmates and teachers and all their customers are compelled to help.

“Lots of people realize it is for a good cause and try to help as much as they can,” says Andie.

Some people are so astonished to see such a young girl making such a big difference in the world that they donate extra money, and even a donation without the fudge.

Mrs. Dillon, a seventh grade teacher on the opposite team who recently purchased her peanut butter fudge says, “Andie’s fudge is absolutely delicious. I shared some with my class and savored the rest by the end of the day.”

Fellow seventh grade student and friend Lily Cummings who bought her chocolate fudge says, “I think her fudge is delicious. The money that she gets is a great way to support the cause that she is donating to.”

Andie Carse is a model for everyone, children and adults, and hopefully many more with her drive will follow in her charitable and heartwarming footsteps.

To get your own fudge from Andie you can contact her at andiesfudge@gmail.com. The flavors are chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate-peanut butter, pumpkin, and chocolate peppermint. A half pound costs $5 and a pound costs $10.