Elijah Cossio is unlike most 14 year-olds. While many kids of his age spend time playing video games or hanging out with their friends on social media, Elijah is busy helping his mom cope with the financial burden of paying for her medical expenses.
Elijah wakes up at 5 a.m every day to bake cookies he sells at his school
Things became tough for Elijah and his mom after she survived a life-threatening bacterial infection back in 2017. However, Elijah was resolved to do his part and help his mom out. For the last two years, he wakes up every day to bake desserts which he sells after school.
He sells desserts to classmates, parents, and community members. Elija’s mom, Tina Hernandez, says she is proud of her son for assisting her every day and helping pay for her hospital bills.
“It feels wonderful because I raised him that way so I’m very proud of him,” she said.
“I started baking just as a hobby”
Elijah started baking as a hobby and he didn’t expect he would be selling desserts to help support his mom and two siblings.
“I started baking as just a hobby and to learn how to make my own money,” Elijah said. “My mom has always taught me to work for what I want because nothing is handed to you for free.”
Everything changed for the worse for Elijah and his family after his mom contracted a serious bacterial infection from the gym. Her health condition worsened significantly and she had to undergo surgeries and was on the verge of dying.
“I did not know if that would be the last time I would see her,” Elijah reflected upon this traumatic period for him and his siblings.
Elijah didn’t hesitate to step up and help his mom financially
Tina eventually recovered from her illness but it was a long process and she had to start from scratch and relearn even the basic activities like walking. As his mom was at the hospital and unable to work and provide for the family, Elijah knew it was time for him to contribute and help out his mom.
“I remembered how much my mom taught me with baking so I decided to step up,” Elijah explained on the GoFundMe. “I started grinding and baking daily so that I can go store to store to sell and raise money.”
Some of Elija’s treats include strawberry cupcakes, cherry cheesecakes, and chocolate chip cookies. His mom said her son has made $60 – 150 every day for the last two and a half years!
She set up a GoFundMe page for Elijah earlier this month where she shared his story and talked about his dreams and goals. He had a modest goal of collecting $100 but ended up earning over $6100 donated to him and his family by generous people who were moved by his story!
Elijah says his goal is to join the army as an engineer and go to culinary school.
“There’s more to life than just sitting and playing games,” Elijah told the media. “I was raised to go get and I went and got it.”
We can only applaud his efforts and wish him to fulfill all his dreams. He deserves it.
Source: ABC13 News, People
Image: GoFundMe
