8/29/14- Cayden Taipalus, also known locally as the âLunch Angelâ, is no novice to interviews. Taipalus has been in the public eye after he caught the attention of several media outlets for what began as a kind gesture. The 8-year-old Challenger Elementary School student began collecting cans to fundraise for lunch accounts that were delinquent so every student could afford a hot lunch. District policy is to provide students with delinquent accounts a cheese sandwich and a juice box, but Cayden wanted to do more. Once the accounts were paid off, he began to put extra money into the accounts as well as network via social media to continue his efforts. Friday morning, Cayden had an interview of a different kind with Dr. Melissa Hughes, a Corporate Education Advisor from Elmerâs Products Incorporated. Dr. Hughes presented the 2014 Elmer award to Cayden after hearing his motivation behind the project. Hughes tells WHMI the soon-to-be fourth grader embodies each quality the award represents. Cayden has acquired upwards of $35,000 to pay for student lunches and plans to continue doing so as the commencement of another school year is just around the corner. Hughes uses Caydenâs mantra and tells WHMI âa little thing can go a long wayâ. Caydenâs mother, Amber Peters, says of her son, âthis really isnât out of context for himâ as he is her âbig-hearted kidâ. (DK/JK)
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