PEABODY — Nae Suffriti, an 8-year-old girl from Peabody, has been selling her clothes and toys to raise money for an organization that assisted her late grandmother.
Nae’s grandmother, Kathleen McMath, died from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, last February, just two years after she was diagnosed.
McMath and Nae were extremely close, according to family friend Leigh Hacker, who said they were best friends and inseparable.
McMath was diagnosed with ALS two years ago, when she transitioned from an outgoing, full of life person, to relying on assistance to do daily tasks, Hacker said.
Nae was there for her grandmother to assist with everything she needed. She would help her get dressed, sleep over, and talk about Harry Potter.
“The time they spent together was always magical,” said Hacker. “She (McMath) had the gift to make anyone feel like they were the most special and important person to exist.”
According to Hacker, Nae inherited that gift from her grandmother.
After McMath passed away, Nae was determined to give back to The Mary Beth Benison Foundation that helped her grandmother throughout her battle with ALS.
The Mary Beth Foundation is a small nonprofit organization that concentrates on lessening the financial burden for families struggling with sickness and difficulties. It provides funds to patients with ALS and their families, organizes and funds family vacations for families facing medical challenges, and helps with home renovations or modifications that families need to make so that their home is handicap accessible and safe.
The organization assisted with the costs of McMath’s home-care, so she could stay in her house with her family.
“That was her only wish — to stay in her home surrounded by love and family through it all,” Hacker said.
Nae has since decided to sell some of her toys and clothes to raise money and help others like her grandmother. She has raised about $600 so far.
Nae’s mother, Hayley Suffriti, said that they plan on hosting a similar fundraiser every February, since Valentine’s Day was McMath’s favorite holiday. Suffriti said they hosted an annual Valentine’s Day party, called “love day,” so it is a very special time for her family.
Nae’s twin brother and her parents have supported Nae with selling her clothes and toys through local online yard sale sites and Facebook.
“One night I came home and there was a pile of stuff outside of her (Nae’s) bedroom, and she said she’s selling all her old clothes to give money to ALS,” said Suffriti.
Nae is excited about the fundraiser and has received donations from friends, family and strangers. She and her family were originally aiming to raise $500 but surpassed that, and are now looking to raise $1,000.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family cannot host a fundraiser in person, which means they are relying on virtual sales and word-of-mouth to raise the funds.
“The Mary Beth Benison Foundation helped my mother and they’re a great organization,” Suffriti said. “I would like to make this an annual thing, and if we get more than $1,000 that’s awesome because The Mary Beth Foundation definitely gave my mother more than $1,000. I figured we’d start small and see what happens.”
Nae is working with a friend who is trying to host another fundraiser and link the money to her efforts.
“My mother’s philosophy was always that you get by giving, and that’s what I’m trying to teach my kids,” Suffriti explained. “You lead by example, and that’s what I’m trying to instill in them in honor of my mother.”
The people that The Mary Beth Benison Foundation assists are encountering the most challenging period of their lives. Some lose the ability to walk, are unable to get in and out of bed on their own, and are not able to work to pay the bills and so they are struggling to make ends meet. The foundation assists with any difficulties that coincide with illnesses, such as ALS.
Nae’s family encourages people to donate to The Mary Beth Benison Foundation. Donations can also be sent to Suffriti’s Cash App @hayley-suffriti.
