BALTIMORE (AP) — Jayden Friedman may be one of the youngest members of Baltimore County’s charitable community. At 11 years old, he has been on a project for over four years to contribute to the community.
Friedman held his first flea market fundraiser at the Glyndon Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday with more than 60 vendors.
“If you give back to other people, they might give it to the user and give and give, and that could cause a ripple effect,” Friedman said.
It all started when Jayden was 7 years old and making sandwiches and meals for those in need through his non-profit organization “Smiles for the Homeless. ”
Thousands of meals later, with the help of his father and local sponsors, he organized a successful flea market fundraiser.
“It melts my heart. He’s the most generous user I know. . . He’s willing to deal with other people all the time,” said Benn Friedman, Jayden’s father.
While the vendors operated their stores, Jayden sold lemonade with his friends to give back to the community.
“To raise cash for the homeless, Sara’s Hope, The Manna House and The Ronald McDonald House, as well as the fireplace department,” Friedman said.
Jayden’s goal is to prepare 5,000 meals to serve the homeless on Thanksgiving this year.
“I just need them,” Friedman said.