CLARKS SUMMIT — What started as a Mother’s Day gift for her aunt became a way to help raise funds for a cause.
Thirteen-year-old Leelah Farrell, of Clarks Summit, made her own slime and bath bombs, which she sold at the Carnival for Kids at McDade Park on June 15. The carnival is one of the biggest fundraisers for the non-profit organization Children’s Advocacy Center, which helps neglected and abused children.
“It was a really great experience,” Leelah said. “I love helping a great cause for children in need at the advocacy center.”
Leelah’s contribution started when she gave a bath bomb to her aunt Dr. Marla Farrell, the physician of the advocacy center, for Mother’s Day. Farre;; thought it was a good idea for her niece to make and sell her items at the carnival. Leelah agreed and became one of the many vendors who helped boost funds for the center. Since this family-friendly event was filled with children, Leelah was able to sell out of her slime and bath bombs, raising $471, which was all donated to the center.
Leelah then set up an Instagram account posting videos of herself showing how to make and play with slime. She received over 1,000 followers positively commenting on her creativity so she decided to turn her hobby into a business venture by selling her item on the website Etsy. She partnered with friend Rosey Kelly, who helped her set up an Etsy account.
Leelah’s merchandise on Etsy includes slime of colors and textures and bath bombs of different colors, shapes and scents. She has customers all over the United States and even has one customer overseas in the UK.
Leelah plans to return to the Carnival for Kids next year to continue helping raise money for the Children’s Advocacy Center. In the meantime, she helps the community by participating in her church’s (First Presbyterian Church in Clarks Summit) program called Worship Through Service.
Leelah is a representative of Student Council at the Abington Heights Middle School, where she will soon enter eighth grade. Her extracurricular activities include running track for her school and singing in her church choir. An avid tennis player, she plans to continue playing when she attends Abington Heights High School.
Her parents Bill and Grace Farrell are proud of her.
“She’s an entrepreneurial young lady with a big heart and we’re very proud of her,” said Bill.
