Student bakes to help others

The days, months and years following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, are deeply embedded in the minds of millions of men, women and children around the world.

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But for one local teen, whose own father was one of the firefighters responding to the attacks at the World Trade Center, the events of those days have left her with an unending passion to help others.

Kelsey Burack, a rising eighth-grader at Augusta Preparatory Day School, said her desire to help others likely stemmed from the heroic and unselfish acts of 9-11.

Since then, Kelsey has held bake sales at her school to buy toys and supplies for children hospitalized at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta and is planning another fundraiser this year to purchase a medical bed for a young girl with muscular dystrophy.

The daughter of Serge and Jeannie Burack, of Martinez, Kelsey said one of her father's co-workers was among those who lost their lives in the 9-11 attacks.

"I just kept thinking, if my dad was him, what would it be like," she said of the child the man left behind.

So, when the family moved to Georgia three years ago to escape the cold winters of New York, where Kelsey was born, she decided to put her efforts to use by helping children in need.

It was during her visits to the hospital, where she would accompany her mother, a physician's assistant at the burn center, that she found most of the children's supplies consisted of a few coloring books and crayons.

She decided to conduct several bake sales at school to raise enough money to buy them some new toys.

In all, about $300 was raised for the new surprises, which Kelsey said was put to good use.

"We are very proud of Kelsey and her effort to support such a worthy cause," said Rosie Herrmann, the director of admissions at Augusta Prep. "Kelsey's sensitivity to those in need has no doubt been fostered at home."

During the upcoming school year, Kelsey will hold bake sales - she wants to be a chef or baker - to raise funds for a medical bed for the daughter of one of her teachers.

"If I was hurt or my child had a disability, that would be upsetting," the 13-year-old said.

Before 9-11, Kelsey said she didn't do any charitable work, but thinking about all of the individuals who showed acts of heroism - including her own father who is retired from Engine Company 234, Ladder 123 in Brooklyn, N.Y. - gave her the desire to want to help others.

"I'm definitely going to keep doing this because it's fun," she said of her efforts.

"You can do anything, no matter how young you are, if you truly believe that you can."