O'Brien sisters donate locally, abroad

Two young ladies from Wrangell are making a difference through their art and a philanthropic streak that will help both locally and abroad.

Sisters Jing and Sophie O’Brien were the winners of the joint Wrangell Medical Center and Alaska Island Community Services poster contest in the third through fifth grade category. With their win they took home the honor of having their art featured – and also a cash prize that will be utilized both in Wrangell and across the world in Nepal.

The cash prize of $100 was split between the sisters who then took their $50 and donated to a pair of causes; Jing’s contribution went to St. Francis Animal Shelter, with Sophie donating her portion to the Pragya Jyoti English School in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Diane O’Brien, Sophie’s and Jing’s mother said the money will do a lot for the organizations that have received the donations.

“Sophie heard about the orphanage through a class and she wrote some letters to them,” she said. “The money for the animal shelter will do a lot of good as well.”

After hearing about the donations the sisters made, a number of Wrangellites, including the family of Therese Ashton, added to the pot. According Diane, the total amount raised so far stands at $450.

Girl Scout Troop 4156 has also agreed to match Jing’s $50 contribution to St. Francis.