'That's Hannah': Manhattan Girl, 9, Bakes And Sells Giant Cookies For A Cause

MANHATTAN, IL — Hannah Mroch has always seemed a bit "older" than her age.

As an only child to Emily and Joe, she seems naturally comfortable around adults, and to be cliché, maybe a bit wise beyond her years. She's articulate, and hardly shy—she'll sit and talk with you for an hour.

But her maturity stretches beyond her social skills.

"The best way to put it, is she’s 9 going on 25 years old," Joe Mroch said. "Any time someone’s hurting, or needing something, her first instinct is to help."

The third grader at Anna McDonald has a inherent desire to help people, a concept she's put in motion for years in a sweet way: cookies.

For the last several years, Hannah and her mother decided they'd bake cookies for Manhattan's Youth Entrepreneur Market—an effort by the Village to highlight and support young local entrepreneurs. Hannah decided from the first year, though, that she'd donate her proceeds to a cause.

Thoughtfully chosen each year, her first cause was compelled by a family friend enduring a battle with lymphoma, her parents said. Hannah had overheard conversations, and quietly observed the situation.

"When we were talking to Hannah, she said she wanted to raise money 'so Karen could get better,'" Emily Mroch said. "She was 6 when we were having this conversation."

In that moment, a childlike innocence of wanting to help a friend battling illness inspired Hannah.

She and Emily baked "giant" cookies — estimated at 5 inches in diameter — to sell at the market. The sprinkles atop the treats were colored and themed to match the cause. The first year, she raised $742 dollars.

The second year, she selected the American Heart Association, and raised $400.

The third year—last year—she couldn't decide, so she let the public vote. They visited her booth, sharing stories and making their picks. Eventually, it landed on St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Hannah donated the $470 raised.

"That’s Hannah," Emily said, of her daughter's willingness to help. "And she’s not doing it for any other reason but for the pure innocence of helping someone. We’re really lucky with her."

Hannah said it's all simple for her.

"I just like helping people, and making people happy is also what I like to do," she said. "Help people, and make people happy. That’s why I wanted to do the baking and raising money."

It's a cherished memory for Emily, too.

"It’s a family recipe that I used to bake with my grandma when I was a kid," she said.

Hannah's empathy runs deep, touching on other corners of her world, too, Joe said.

Recently, during severe weather, Hannah and Emily were with Hannah's softball team when they were told to shelter in place. Joe was en route to them.

"A room full of girls, her first instinct was to make sure everybody was okay," Joe said. "When I got there, she walked out of the room, and said, ‘I was very brave, I made sure everyone was ok. But I’m really scared and need a hug.’

"She made sure that the other kids were ok and giving hugs. That sums up a lot of Hannah right there. Just wanting to do the right thing, being good to others first."

Emily agreed.

"She’s extremely empathetic."

"The best feeling I’ve had is the number of our parents, teachers, that have said nice things and enjoy being around her," Joe said. "She can hold a conversation with adults, which is always nice.

".... She’s not the one running around and jumping around, she’s paying attention—that’s been the favorite part for me, I feel like she’s able to mingle with the world. It’s good to know now, and hopefully that continues when she’s an adult."

They're not sure if Hannah will be back at baking for this year's market—there could be a scheduling conflict with her travel softball, her parents said. And for her future, Hannah still has plenty of time to figure out her career pursuit. Her goals change daily, they said.

"There are times when she says she’d love to do hair, design things," Emily said. "There’s been a teacher phase, police officer phase—taking care of people.

"... The constant has always been helping somebody."