Cole's Big Gift

Cole carefully counted all $73.87

This month, we’re featuring a particularly special first-time donor. Meet eight-year-old Cole Pawlitschek. Don't be fooled by his small stature - his generosity and insight into giving knocked our socks off.

For two years, Cole reserved a portion of his allowance, chore, and birthday money into a “save” jar. The nickels and dimes grew steadily, and last month Cole decided he had saved enough money to make a difference. Cole came into our office with his mom, Maya, to hand over $62 dollars in cash and $11.87 in loose change.

Cole says he chose Lettuce Link, “because I wanted to help kids that don't have food to get some. Marra Farm grows vegetables and gives them to people for free."

When it comes to vegetables, Cole is especially fond of steamed edamame with salt sprinkled on top. Though we don’t grow edamame (immature soybeans) at Marra Farm, we do grow several items that could be adapted into one of Cole’s favorite recipes – Mr. Egg Face Sandwiches! Radish eyeballs, asparagus mouths, frizzy lettuce hair … sounds like we’ve got a tasty treat to prepare with our garden classes this spring.

Aside from noshing on edamame, Cole can be found playing video games, doing math and reading, and participating in basketball, soccer, and karate. He also makes sure to spend with his kitten, Pluma. Cole says that his mom, dad, and family are the important communities in his life, as well as Poverty Action and all his friends. 

When asked about why he donates part of his money, Cole reminds us that, “some people in tons of places all over the world don't have enough money to buy food or houses or beds or toys.”

These days, Lettuce Link relies more and more on the generosity of individual donors like Cole to sustain our work. His advice for adults who want to make a difference:

“Grown-ups can give money so Marra Farm can grow more stuff and give to people. They can also volunteer at places to help raise money and help them do their work.”

As Cole notes, there is no single way to support our work. We need all types -- those who give time, money, in-kind donations, expertise, and more. Alongside our diverse community of supporters, we'll keep working to make fresh food a right for everyone!


Mr. Egg Face Sandwich
(from Lunch Boxes and Snacks by Annabel Karmel, adapted by Maya Pawlitschek, mother of Cole)

Ingredients (for 4 sandwiches)

• 7 eggs
• ¼ cup mayonnaise or hummus – add more if needed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 8 slices of bread
• 1 can tuna and/or 1 cup shredded cheese (optional - for extra protein)
• Face decorations, such as: sliced radishes or bell pepper, grated carrot, edamame, olives, salami, gherkins, chives, basil, peas, celery, or grape tomatoes

Directions

1. Hard boil eggs, let cool, and peel
2. Cut two eggs into four slices each for the eyes
3. With a fork, mash the remaining eggs in bowl, adding the tuna, shredded cheese, and mayonnaise
4. Season with salt and pepper
5. Spread egg mixture on four slices of bread 
6. Have kids make faces on bread, using the sliced egg eyes and decoration ideas above
7. Cover with piece of plain bread and enjoy! 

Thank you Cole and all those who support us growing forth into 2012!