Written by Megin Potter | Photos by Super Source Media Studios unless noted
In 2019, Riley Santiago, who was 7-years-old at the time, went to the track with her grandmother, Maureen Smith. They didn’t go to see the horses. They were in a race of another kind – the one to help Saratoga County victims of fire.
As the Vice President of After the Fire, Maureen Smith helps to raise funds for the nonprofit organization that provides local families with a place to stay, personal care items, clothing, food, and emotional support.
“Victims can always use extra help after a fire,” said Jessica Santiago, Smith’s daughter and Riley’s mom. Although it was the first time Riley had done any fundraising, she took charge of attracting people to After the Fire’s table and promoting their cause.
“I am shy during the first part and not wanting to talk but when I’m in the middle of it, I feel more comfortable talking to them,” explains Riley, now 10. “I just push myself.”
Riley’s enthusiasm helped After the Fire to raise twice as much money that day as had previously been collected.
“She was just so cute, people couldn’t say ‘no’,” added Jessica.
One Good Turn
After a brief hiatus because of the pandemic, Riley continued her philanthropic pursuits. During their two-day neighborhood garage sales, Riley raised another $265 for After the Fire.
“My mom was super suprised and everybody was so grateful,” said Jessica.
Between September and December that year, Riley raised another $392 by collecting can and bottle donations. The funds and items purchased with them were also sent to Operation Adopt-a-Soldier and the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
Spreading Hope
An active fifth-grader at Schuylerville Central School, Riley participates in chorus, plays the saxophone, is in art club and is taking tap, jazz, and hip-hop dance classes afterschool at The Dance Lab. No matter how busy she is however, helping others is never far from her mind.
“I really love helping people. It feels good doing it,” she said. Riley empathizes with the difficulties that the people she helps are going through, and with animals who don’t have toys, or a home to go to.
Before collecting candy for herself at Halloween, Riley trick-or-treats for the troops (the candy is tucked into care packages to fill up the space in between essential items). When the war in the Ukraine started, Riley collected donations to be sent over, and this year, she is collecting funds to support three more charities; the American Cancer Society, the Franklin Community Center, and H.O.P.E. Animal Rescue.
Reaping the Rewards
Each month, Riley posts a video on the Terrel Hills Facebook page telling neighbors of her cause. She then rides along with her parents as they drive around to collect bags of returnable items and to leave a ‘Thank You’ note.
While she appreciates anything that people are able to give and said that no donation is ever too small, Riley said she really loves seeing lots of bags of bottles and cans stacked up waiting for her.
“It makes me excited. It’s like, WOW! they care.”
The number of bags has gotten so large in fact, that when they won’t fit inside the family’s SUV they hook up a dump trailer to haul them all to the Nickleback Bottle & Can Retrieval Center in South Glens Falls.
“They just fell in love with Riley there because she is so young and doing it for a good cause,” said Jessica.
During her last drop-off, Riley returned 7,700 cans and bottles (totaling $385!!).
“She’s just somebody with a big heart,” continued Jessica. “If she wants to take a break from it, we definitely will, but she likes to give and be helpful and when someone is like that, no matter what age they are, it’s great.”
