There are events in local history that don't get as talked about as they should. This photo from the front page of the December 6, 1951 issue of The Romeo Observer is a part of one such story.
On November 10, 1951, Murray J. Moore and his wife Mary of Leonard, Michigan were tragically killed along with 4 teenagers in a head-on collison on M-24 just north of Bald Mountain. They had 11 children, including 11-year-old Sharon seen in the picture above. Their ages ranged from 15 years old to just 6 weeks old. As a result, they became orphans.
The members of the Girl Scout Troop 6 in Romeo decided to hold a bake and handicraft sale to raise money for the Moore Survival Fund at the Romeo Savings Bank. They also took in toys and children's clothing as additional donations.
Sharon, who is in the middle of the photograph, smiles appreciately at the display of baked goods and handicraft items for sale. Flanking her are Marilyn Bright, on the left, and Paula Deegan, on the right. Bright was the president of Girl Scout Troop 6, while Deegan was the vice president. Afterwards, Sharon was made an honorary member of the Troop.
It's heartening to know that anyone can make a difference no matter where they are from.
Source: The Romeo Observer, November 15, 1951, p.1; November 22, 1951, p.1; and December 6, 1951, p.1