It's not everyday a 12-year-old gets to deposit $10,000 in the bank.
"I wasn't sure I was going to make it or not," Noah LaMaide said. But Noah isn't the average 6th grader.
"I had an idea to help people, and it was like a dream to help people," Noah said.
Two years ago, the Stevens Point boy created a charity website called Noah's Dream Catcher Network to encourage the community to help those in need make their dreams come true.
"Once they donate, we'll send them a letter saying thank you with a dream catcher in it," he said.
Noah has helped victims of Hurricane Katrina, patients diagnosed with cancer and last month, he took on his biggest project yet. Costly medical bills put his grandma, Janice Sparhawk, behind on house payments, until she was faced with foreclosure.
"It was hard, it was very hard," Sparhawk said.
To her grandson, it wasn't just a house. Sparhawk's place has been in the family for three generations and has been a refuge for more than 100 foster children.
"Each one that came here, I tried to make them feel like they had a family here," Sparhawk said. "I've had all the way from a brand new infant from the hospital to kids that were 17."
That's why Noah used his networking skills to save a place that's touched so many lives. He posted his grandma's story to his site, hoping a few donations would come in.
"She's helped so many people, and she won't be able to help anymore if she doesn't have her house," Noah said.
Just one month later, Noah's received around 100 checks, $10,300 and a priceless lesson of generosity, even when so many are struggling to make their own dreams come true.
"That makes me feel really good," Noah said. "That there are a lot more good people in the world than I thought."
Noah's story isn't just getting attention in north central Wis. He's caught the eye of network news as well. CBS News' Steve Hartman was in Stevens Point this week to interview Noah about his efforts for his "On the Road" series, which shares inspiring stories from every day people all around the country. Noah's story will air on the CBS Evening News Friday.
Click here to view Noah’s website and help out.
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Boy Helps Grandma
