Saira Joshi and Madison Marshiano were preschoolers in Chicago when they became friends. Just a few years later, they founded Small Hands Big Impact with a goal to help as many kids as possible through events like school supply drives and book collections. Saira says they're just getting started. (photo provided)
How did you start your nonprofit?
Eighth-graders Saira Joshi and Madison Marshiano were elementary school students when they decided to do something good for their community. Today, the hands that build Small Hands Big Impact aren't so small anymore, and the impact of the nonprofit founded by these two friends keeps on growing.
"Two besties doing our part to make a positive change in the world!" is how Saira, a Hinsdale Middle School student, and Madison, who attends Latin School of Chicago, describe themselves.
Best friends since preschool, the girls were separated in 2020 when Saira moved to Hinsdale from Chicago. And while Madison wasn't far away geographically, the pandemic made it impossible to meet. The two kept in touch through texts and Facetime. As they heard stories of how families were struggling, they decided to do something to help.
With help from their moms, the two launched SHBI in 2020 and held their first fundraiser in February 2021. The two called upon their semi-famous friend who had been a contestant on MasterChef Junior to hold an online cooking class. Proceeds from the event were used to buy books for patients at Lurie Children's Hospital.
In November 2022, SHBI collected food donations to "pack the pantry" at the Ronald McDonald House in Hines. About 500 pounds of food were delivered for the families staying at the house to enjoy.
Thanks to generous donations from the Latin School of Chicago, Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 and individuals, SHBI has held two back-to-back efforts to provide Chicago public school students with school supplies. SHBI collected and delivered 300 books, 50 fully packed backpacks and more than 2,000 other items to help students with back-to-school needs.
"We want to be kids helping kids. That's our motto," Saira said.
Saira said that starting a nonprofit wasn't her and Madison's original intention, but doing so has taught them a lot about working with other organizations and fundraising. Madison said the experience has taught her practical skills, like how to create a spreadsheet and how to write a professional email.
Another school supply drive was held at the end of the last school year, and yet another is being planned for spring, Saira said.
"We set up bins in all the elementary schools and the middle school. We collected a lot of school supplies," she said.
Donations also can be made directly through SHBI's Amazon account. The link is available on the SHBI Instagram account, @smallhands_bigimpact.
SHBI also is gearing up to launch its first website, with the hope that it will drive more traffic, Saira said.
Donations aren't the only good to come from SHBI. Madison said she and Saira also are showing other young people that they can make a difference.
"This is a chance to teach other kids about the importance of helping others," Madison said.
Managing their own nonprofit requires weekly meetings and frequent calls, emails and texts. But for Saira and Madison, it's just part of their long friendship and their ongoing commitment to do good things.
"It's been so amazing to be able to help so many people," Madison said.
- by Sandy Illian Bosch
