The Nepal earthquake was close to the hearts of one family in Marion.

Seijal Parajuli, a senior at Old Rochester Regional High School, is a native of Nepal and lived there until she was seven. Many members of her family still live in the Kathmandu area and have been greatly affected by the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that killed many Nepalese and left countless others homeless.

Parajuli’s family survived the quakes with their homes intact, but she wanted to help others who were less fortunate.

“It’s really close to my heart,” she said.

With her friend Alex Friedman, Parajuli began brainstorming ways the local community could help Nepal.

The girls’ first stop was to ORR nurse Kim Corazzini office. Corazzini leads the AFS club and foreign exchange student program.

They decided to direct their efforts through All Hands Volunteers, a nonprofit aid organization with an office in Mattapoisett.

“They’ve already committed two years to Nepal, and they’re already in the community,” said Parajuli.

With help from the AFS Club, the girls raised $520 selling whoopie pies at the school on Friday, and on Saturday the club held a car wash at the Mattapoisett Firehouse.

Parajuli’s dad, Suren, came ready to work.

“We have a special relationship with America,” he said. “The community is great. They’re supporting from everywhere.”

This summer, Parajuli and Friedman would like to visit Nepal and lend a helping hand.

All donations from the car wash will go to All Hands Volunteer’s work in Nepal. For more information, visit hands.org.