Teen, 15, Runs Annual Bake Sale & Book Drive: Wallingford Hero

WALLINGFORD, CT — When times are tough, heroes emerge. We all know someone who's making a difference right now as we live through unprecedented and changing times.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. Together with Ring, we're working to let all your neighbors know about these outstanding people and their stories.

This submission comes from Gina Fitzgerald, who nominated her daughter Chelsea Fitzgerald. Chelsea is 15 and runs an annual bake sale and book drive to benefit Read to Grow.

Name: Chelsea Fitzgerald

Hometown: Wallingford

Hero's job: Runs an annual bake sale and book drive to benefit Read to Grow

Submitter name: Gina Fitzgerald

Relationship to nominee: My child

Reason for recognition: Chelsea is 15 years old and has spent the past 8 summers collecting books to donate to Read to Grow of Branford CT. Chelsea also hosts an annual bake sale whose proceeds purchase more books to be donated to Read to Grow.

One thing to know: This summer Chelsea has spent over 300 hours baking as well as collecting, purchasing, sorting, boxing & delivering nearly 7,000 books to Read to Grow. In 8 years she has donated over 25,000 books!

>> Do YOU have a local hero you would like us to know about? Share their story here. Read about other heroes from across Connecticut here.