Child, 7, Donates 600 Masks To Stamford First Responders

STAMFORD, CT — Members of the Stamford Fire Department and staff at Stamford Hospital recently received a donation of 600 N-95 protective masks from an unexpected donor: a 7-year-old girl. According to the fire department, young Stamford resident Shea Keen was inspired to help first responders within her community as they continue to grapple with the coronavirus.

To help out, Keen began raising funds through a community collection table in front of her North Stamford home. She soon expanded her efforts through online fundraising via Facebook. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"The response from family, friends, neighbors and complete strangers was overwhelming," Deputy Chief Matt Palmer said in the announcement, "with Shea raising over $2,500 in a very short period of time."

With assistance from family members, the young philanthropist was able to purchase 600 masks from a medical supply company. Palmer said 300 masks in total were donated to hospital staff, while 300 more were donated to the fire department.

According to the department, Keen is the granddaughter of retired Stamford Assistant Fire Chief John McCabe.

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Ms. Keen," Palmer said in a statement. "It is inspiring to learn of someone as young as Shea becoming so engaged in her community and assisting first responders. She truly demonstrates what a whole-of-community approach to mitigation looks like."

Photos of the presentation were posted on the department's Facebook page.