9-year-old Richard “Rocco” Ramos has loved wearing bow ties for as long as he can remember. In fact, he loves them so much that he’s now the CEO of his own business — Rocco’s Bow Ties.
The fourth-grader in Allentown, Pennsylvania worked with a couple of retired seamstresses to sew bow ties, but he wasn’t just trying to make a few dollars. Rocco wanted to change his community by making people happy.
“He just wants people to feel good because he thinks a bow tie really make somebody happy,” Rocco’s mom Millie Canales told Fox 29.
The young entrepreneur’s bow ties come in all sizes and patterns. For every bow tie sold, Rocco will donate one to someone in need.
Recently, the young man was the recipient of the Community Volunteerism Award at his local Union Baptist Church’s annual Youth and Community Awards. According to The Morning Call, the award is “given to a youth who is truly selfless and dedicated to helping others … has shown commitment to bettering their community by volunteering their time to a cause they are passionate about.”
Bow ties aren’t the only thing that Rocco is passionate about. The fourth-grader is also a tutor and volunteer, participating in neighborhood cleanups, and as an Allentown Snow Angel, to help clear the snowy sidewalks for senior citizens.
“I’ve known Rocco since he was one and I’ve never seen a child at his age do so much for those who don’t have,” said Carmen Nunez, one of his helpful seamstresses.
When the young man gave his acceptance speech during the award ceremony, he made sure to praise his mother, who is also the president of their neighborhood association. He said that she was the inspiration for getting involved in the community.
Rocco has his own Facebook page in which he goes by the moniker “Lil Prince of Allentown.” In each of one his pictures, you can see him sporting a stylish outfit, a giant smile, and, of course, a bow tie. It’s clear that he’s a loved soul in the Allentown area.
“In my spirit, he will be such an inspiration, not ony to youth, but also to our adults,” Union Baptist Church Youth Pastor Knoxley Samms said.
Watch more on Rocco’s adorable and inspiring story in the video below. He’s already an incredible role model and is sure to do amazing things in years to come.
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