Emerson Balascio of Hamilton Heights in Manhattan used her tenth birthday to help a 10-year-old boy in Malawi. 

What You Need To Know

  • A youngster from Hamilton Heights raised more than $2,000 to help a ten-year-old boy in Malawi buy a new home for his family

  • The PATH Fund, Performing Artists That Help, is awarding individual grants to struggling members of the arts and entertainment community

  • For information on how to make a donation or apply for a grant go to www.pathfund.org

  • If you see an Act of Kindness in the city, big or small, please email Kristen Shaughnessy at aokkristen@gmail.com

She found out that George was in fourth grade just like she was, but that he lived very differently in his southeast African country.

He's an orphan who works in the fields to support his three siblings. His grandparents are unable to care for him and his siblings. They live in a tiny, poorly built home. 

Emerson and a few friends began tie dying masks for sale, after finding out that $1,500 would get George a better home.  

With the help of their teacher at the Harlem Hebrew Language Academy, they set up a table on 96th Street between Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues and raised $600 in a few hours. 

Then Emerson asked people for $10 donations and raised an extra $1,500. She told NY1 that she hopes he feels the love from afar from a fellow 10 year old.

Film and Broadway star Donnie Kehr created the song “New York City Strong.” 

He and Cori Gardner founded the PATH Fund — Performing Artists That Help. With Broadway shut down, their team is reaching out to those who need money for rent or food. 
 


They are awarding individual grants of $100, $250 and $500 to qualifying members of the arts and entertainment community.

"The Path Fund team and I have created the Path Fund Relief Grant Program. We felt it was only fitting to give back to those who have given so much of their time and their talent over the years to charitable causes,” said Donnie Kehr, co-founder of the PATH Fund.

For information or to donate, go to pathfund.org.

You can check them out on instagram at @rockersonbroadway and on twitter at @PATHandRockers.