Carrie Sharkey will always remember the Sweet 16 party she didn't have.

The Towson High School junior from Rodgers Forge celebrated her birthday June 11 adding up checks, but they weren't made out to her.

They were for the House of Ruth Maryland, an organization that shelters abused women and their children.

In the letter she sent out to friends, teachers and family members April 29, she explained she wanted to raise $500 for the House of Ruth instead of having a party to celebrate turning 16 or asking for presents.

"Many would be grateful for your donation and their lives would improve dramatically," wrote Carrie, the fourth of Caroline and Steve Sharkey's five children.

She ended up raising $1,788, said Carrie last week, and the checks were still coming in.

Carrie explained that she had watched episodes of MTV's reality show, "My Super Sweet 16," last year and had seen how lavishly some of the girls' parents spent on their daughters' 16th birthday party.

Sometimes it was thousands of dollars, she said. "I just felt sad for them and how spoiled they were."

Besides, the important thing about turning 16 for her was being able to drive, she said. She wasn't going to have a big party anyway.

She shocked her mother when she broached the subject.

Caroline Sharkey said her wallet began to contract instinctively when her daughter began the conversation with, "You know, Mom, I will be turning 16 in June. ... "

"But my wallet relaxed and my jaw dropped when Carrie said that instead of a party, she wanted to raise money for charity," she said.

They went out to breakfast together to talk about the different charities and what they offered. She chose the House of Ruth "because of what they stand for and how they help women," Carrie said.

Carrie drafted her letter, then fine-tuned it. Two family friends volunteered their time and paper to photocopy it free of charge. And Carrie's charity drive was on its way.

The first check that came in was for $10, she said. "I was just so happy."

That was just the beginning of a seemingly slow start. For a while it looked as if she was not going to get the $500, she said, so she gave out the letter to more people.

It was distributed throughout her dad's office; folks from her church spread the word; students and teachers from Towson High contributed. Donations ranged from $1 to $100.

She was amazed by how generous people were, Carrie said. "Even my high school friends with no money or no jobs managed to donate. It was great."

The morning after her 16th birthday she drove down to the House of Ruth administrative office in Baltimore city and presented the money.

"I was so impressed with Carrie," said House of Ruth spokeswoman Kerri Wojciechowski. "It was such a selfless act for a 16-year-old, especially in this time when we hear so many stories about greed.

"It was nice that someone so young saw the importance of what we do."

Carrie was surprised she was able to pull the whole thing off, she said, but the best part of it was the end result: "knowing I was helping a lot of people through others."

For Carrie's mother, it was a wonderful thing to see Carrie checking the mail every day, anticipating the next donation.

"It has been a privilege and an honor for me to have been able to witness Carrie's campaign firsthand, and to see so many people give so generously," she said.

"Perhaps other young men and women reading about this will be inspired to celebrate likewise, and make a difference in their communities."

However, Carrie feels obliged to say that she did cheat a little on her birthday. "I got to have two friends sleep over," she said.

---

user comments (2)

user davidoftowson says...

This is one of the most beautiful things I've seen in a long time. Carrie Sharkey, you absolutely rock. I hope your story is widely publicized and spawns a few thousand copycat events.

Posted 6:08 PM, 07.01.09

• Permalink

user banjogrrrl says...

Wow. What davidoftowson said. Carrie, thank you for thinking outward into and for your community in such a constructive way. You do, absolutely, rock. I am linking this article to friends and family and colleagues all over the place. And when school starts up again, I'm going to give my students this article to read. Knowing that there are students out there like you who are not only aware of and concerned for others, but willing to DIY a charity fundraiser gives me tremendous hope. And pleasure. And relief.

Posted 12:06 AM, 07.02.09

• Permalink