Squeeze my heart moment

As so many of us have been touched by IKE, one of Gracie's friends at school lost everything - everything! They now live with his grandparents while they try to get their life back together. The school is trying the best they can to help all the families who are "without." So they came up with a coin drive idea - the class who raises the most gets an ice cream party. And yes for those of you who know Grace well, know she's lactose intolerant so too much ice cream REALLY hurts her tummy. So Im thinking we'll give some coins and "do our part" but an ice cream party is not going to get her going.
Well Grace comes home today first thing - after meeting Daddy at work for lunch  - and goes straight to her room. Due to the window unit being in the living room (still no power) and the back of the house staying pretty warm she hasn't been spending much time back there so I thought it odd. She comes out with her hands full of quarters. I ask "what are you doing with those?" She tells me she wants to go through her piggy banks and get all these "big ones" out for the kids who lost their house and power and stuff. It's about nap time so I get Alex down and then join her in her room where she has dumped all 3 of her piggy banks out and is sorting money like a mad woman. I sit down with her and explain the value of each coin - want her to know how much she's giving - she's been saving for 5 years now (okay well 4 years and a day) lol She says she understands and wants to give the "big ones" because they can help more.

We sit together and put all the quarters in a bowl and keep all the others together in a different bucket. As we sort, she asks what the money will be used for - I explain that a lot of people lost things in their homes like beds, toys, clothes etc and some even lost their house so the money will help get them new things. That's when I really stepped in it a little, I told her how proud I was that she wanted to help and that Daddy and I would match whatever she decided to give - thinking $5 or maybe even $10.
Now this is the same girl who 2 weeks ago wanted to buy her baby brother a birthday gift with HER money ( $4 ) and I told her I'd match her amount so she could have more options of what to by so now $8. She thought a moment and said well then I'll just use $2 of my money then. lol - crack me up!!
Well I haven't told Shane yet but we are in the hole for $34.25. Who knew she had that much in quarters - and wants to give them ALL cause "she really wants to help the kids who don't have their things anymore."

So here's the challenge for Grace -
Lets see how many quarters you are willing to give ( or nickle, dimes, dollars or pennies) or if you want to match her amount as well.  Let see if we can show Grace what love and compassion looks like in the form of change. 

My disclaimer:
Please let me add that I know we all have so many friends, family and co workers who have lost so much due to IKE.   My heart goes out for them in their lose and I pray they get back to "normal" life as soon as possible. This just touched my heart and I felt like it's an awesome lesson for Grace to continue to learn though her loved ones. Please do not feel obligated to participate or even reply with regrets. We are all helping where we can - just thought this would be a good place to help if you didn't know where to help.