Newton Student Helping Less-fortunate Peers

NEWTON, MA — Instead of spending all her time getting herself ready for the new school year, a young Newton resident was raising money for school supplies for foster care children who are less fortunate.

Simone Gupta, 12, has had her boots on the ground going door-to-door raising money through Boston Court Appointed Special Offices For Children’s Back-To-School Drive. Gupta chose the drive as her Bat Mitzvah project and has visited more than 30 homes in the city so far, and is still doing it as the fall begins.

“What was fascinating to me was watching the scale of her excitement and self-esteem increase as she went door to door,” Gupta’s mother Eliza Danielson said. “Instead of focusing on the money, Simone is focused on impact and introducing Boston CASA to more people in our community. These kids are in our backyards and need our support.”

Boston CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to serve as CASAs in Suffolk and Middlesex Counties for children removed from their homes and placed in foster care.

Gupta has previously organized gift drives for children in years prior.