Gratitude in Action: Healdsburg Girl Donates Zucchini Fest Prize to Adoption Agency

When Seana McClure won the $100 prize at the dressed as Harry Potter wizard pal Hermione wielding a magical zucchini wand, she knew which nonprofit would get her donation.

Seana, 9, was adopted by a Healdsburg family through TLC Child and Family Services in Sebastopol. She and her sister had both been in foster care prior to being adopted to permanent homes.

On Monday, Seana expressed thanks for the gift of that permanent home to TLC by giving them the $100 prize check.

"Seana presented the check to TLC Executive Director Jim Galsterer," said Pat Callahan, board member of the , which sponsored the contest and arranged the donation. 

"Then she read a letter she had written to TLC thanking them and telling them how much it meant to her to be placed with a family," Callahan said.

According to Callahan, Seana said she hoped that “this money goes to help other girls like my sister and I find families,” she said.

But Callahan said Seana had another surprise. Seana and her sister had quietly been collecting bottles and cans in recent weeks and had redeemed them for a second donation to TLC.

"As adults wiped their eyes, Seana presented a second check to a flabbergasted TLC executive director and staff, representing the additional money she and her sister earned from the bottles and cans," Callahan said. "This was amazing to see."

Callahan said the Community Foundation Sonoma County Healdsburg Fund created the contest to encourage charitable giving among young people.

"To see Seana and her sister act on their own charitable ideas so quickly is inspiring," she said. "This is a great reminder how we each can do our small part to help charities in our communities this season.”