Fourth-grader aspires to help quake victims

This is the time of year most fourth-graders start thinking about what they're going to do on summer vacation.

Cori Hughes of Naperville is developing a plan to help victims of the recent earthquake in China.

The quake, which at last count has killed more than 40,000 and left more than 5 million homeless, has had a significant impact on Cori -- who was adopted from China in 1999.

She was watching Fox News with her family last week when she learned of the devastation. She said she felt an immediate connection with the victims and wanted to find a way to help.

"I don't know if I have any sisters or brothers (in China)," Cori said Tuesday, "but if you were a person who had friends in a different place, and then found out something awful happened to them, you'd want to help them."

The quake occurred in the Sichuan region of China on May 12. It registered 7.9 on the Richter Scale.

Cori knew she wanted to raise money for the victims, but she also knew she'd need help.

Her adoptive parents, Charles and Twila Hughes, reached out to Sunny Ridge Family Center, which assisted them in adopting Cori, and Humanitarian Director Robert McNeill.

The Hughes also sought help from Cori's school, Mill Street Elementary in Naperville.

Students at Mill Street were sent home with fliers Tuesday encouraging their parents to donate what they can, Cori's mom said. The money will be collected May 27 and then forwarded to Sunny Ridge.

From there, the cash will be sent to the China Center for Adoption Affairs, which will distribute funds to areas that are in dire need.

"This was all Cori's idea," Twila Hughes said.

Cori, who has been with the Hughes for almost 9 years, is aware of her connection to Sunny Ridge and to the place of her birth.

"She knows all about the adoption process," Twila Hughes said.

Even though Cori is only 10, her mother says she has an old soul.

"She's very concerned about people in China and people around the world," she said.

Cori realizes she could have been one of those directly affected by the quake had she not been adopted, her mother says.

Like most kids her age, Cori says she likes to spend time with her friends and go to the park.

Ask her if she thinks other kids share her concerns with the quake victims and she says they probably do.

"I bet they do think about it, but they don't usually do stuff like this," she said.

To donate money to Cori's cause, the Hughes family suggests making checks out to Sunny Ridge Family Center. For more information, visit www.sunnyridge.org.