8-Year-Old Needhamite Sells Seashells for Community Council

One young man in Needham may not be down by the sea shore, but he is selling seashells, and passing the money on to a local charity.

Christine Mawhinney told Patch about her son Brendan, 8, who recently started decorating and selling seashells outside of his home. On Friday, he will be going to the Needham Community Council to present them with the money he raised from the sale.

"He was hanging out in the summer and said he wanted to make something and raise some money for people who don't have any," Mawhinney said. "My only suggestion to him was that he shut off the TV. This is totally his brainchild. 

He had collected sea shells over the years, and decided to decorate them. He covered them in smiley faces, Bruins and Red Sox logos, and dozens of other designs, and sold them at a stand at the end of his driveway over the course of three or four days this summer.

"He wanted to go door-to-door, but I made him do it lemonade stand-style," Mawhinney said on the phone. "He stopped cars. He is not a shy kid."

He sold them for $2 apiece, many went to neighboring homes. Mawhinney commented that it was an opportunity to meet some of their neighbors.

She added that there are still shells available, and that anyone who is interested can email her to arrange a purchase at cazmawhinney@gmail.com.

Brendan will tally the money later in the week and, after school on Friday, he will present his money to the Needham Community Council. The Community Council will give him a tour of their facility and show him where the money is going.