Orland Park Boy, 11, Honored For Raising Money For Ukrainian Refugees

ORLAND PARK, IL — An 11-year-0ld boy from Orland Park was honored Monday by village trustees for his work in raising almost $500 for Ukrainian people during last month's humanitarian aid drive.

According to officials, Luke Cudney and his brothers made blue and yellow pots out of clay and sold them from a stand at the end of their driveway. All the money from the pot sales was delivered by the Cudneys to the Orland Park drive to help Ukrainian refugees on March 19.

Cudney received the Community Pride Award at the Monday meeting.

"As kids it is hard to do big things, but even little things can make a difference," wrote Cudney in a letter to the Chicago Tribune about his pots.

The boy's mother said Luke got interested in pottery after taking an online class. In total, the efforts raised $491 which was added to a cash donation total of $11,000 which was delivered to refugees seeking safety in Poland.

"As a community, Orland Park has always come through for others as we are a community of generous, caring and compassionate people," Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau said in a statement.