SPOKANE -- Seeing the devastation in Haiti has made even the youngest among us want to step in and help, with a first grader at Whitman Elementary proving that big things can come from the youngest people in our community.

Seven-year-old Jeremiah Carr had an idea to raise funds for kids in Haiti. The idea became “Hearts for Haiti”, and along with a little help from his friends – his entire first grade class – and his mom, Jeremiah was able to raise hundreds of dollars so little kids in Haiti can have a chance at a better life.

“I thought I had a horrible life but my mom said there are other people like Haiti now and that is what I figured out you should help other people,” Jeremiah said.

After a brainstorm session with mom and dad, “Hearts for Haiti” was born. Jeremiah and his class designed five different valentines and sold them to the kids in their school. All the money will go to help kids in Haiti.

“They're dealing with no food and water, like nothing,” Jeremiah said.

In a matter of days “Hearts for Haiti” raised $420. Jeremiah thinks the possibilities are endless.

“They will build lots of houses for everybody in Haiti and they all could live and not any of them die,” he said/

Just as important as building houses in Haiti is what was built in this little boy.

“I hope Haiti gets better,” Jeremiah said, but added that his grassroots fundraising efforts may extend beyond the earthquake victims of Haiti.

“We are probably going to do it for other people if they have an earthquake and they are having trouble,” he said.