Devon Frampton has a heart of gold. As first reported in The Examiner last month, Devon, a seventh-grader at Federal Hill Preparatory School No. 45, saw a neighborhood flier pleading for help for 1-year-old cancer patient Maleah Randall.
“I just don?t think it?s right for a baby to have brain cancer,” Devon, 12, said.
So he decided to do something about it and used his compassion to raise a whopping $19,005 to help pay the medical bills of a little girl he had never met.
“He came home and said, ?I don?t know what it is, but I gotta do something to help this little baby.? We all just started crying.” said Linda Frampton, Devon?s grandmother. “We?re all still in shock. His goal was $10,000.”
Through personal phones calls, word of mouth and a large benefit held at Hogan?s Alley on Oct. 6, Devon managed to raise almost twice his goal. The benefit featured a silent auction of donated items.
“He said, ?Mom-mom, I know I can do this,? ” Linda Frampton said. “I said, ?I know you can too.? And he did.”
Devon presented the check to Maleah?s parents, Brandi Mason and John Randall, in a ceremony at Hogan?s Alley on Friday.
Devon said Councilman Edward Reisinger was part of his inspiration to help Maleah. Reisinger even came to the Framptons? Fort Avenue home in South Baltimore to encourage Devon to keep going. “It was cool to meet him, because he cares what happens to us kids,” Devon said.
Devon already has started on his next cause. A resident in his neighborhood suffered kidney failure while vacationing in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and can?t afford the flight back to Maryland. Devon has contacted the charitable-giving department at Southwest Airlines to see if they can kick in a complimentary or discounted flight.
“She?s in really bad shape and wants to come home to be with her family,” Linda Frampton said. “Devon is trying to get her home. He?s challenging Southwest Airlines. And you know what? I think he?ll get it done.”
“All I can do is pray that [Southwest] will help,” Devon said.
