Rochester Memorial student wins ‘golden ticket’ for charity

ROCHESTER — A fourth grade student at Rochester Memorial School won a golden ticket from the Feldstein Foundation, which earned her $500 for a charity and $5,000 for the school.

Maggie Sommer won the ticket Monday, Nov. 9, according to a news release.

She decided to donate the $500 to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism because “she cares deeply about others and wants to help children with autism and their families,” the release said.

The foundation, created by former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, aims to help those with autism by providing direct financial support, grants and employment opportunities for people with autism spectrum disorder, according to the release.

"The chance for a student to direct a substantial donation to a cause of their choice reinforces the value of community-mindedness and altruism that we so strongly promote at Rochester Memorial School," Principal Heidi Letendre said.

Based in Cranston, Rhode Island, the Feinstein Foundation was founded by Alan Shawn Feinstein in 1991 “to recognize and encourage young people to do good deeds and be kind whenever possible,” the release said.

Sommer won the award in a random drawing for “Feinstein Jr. Scholars,” children who have participated in the foundation’s Leadership School program.