Adriana ‘Adri’ Marvella Arias, 9, is raising money for a wheelchair-accessible van in Fresno, Calif., by selling hot chocolate and champurrado
NEED TO KNOW
- 9-year-old Adriana “Adri” Marvella Arias from Fresno, Calif., started a hot chocolate and champurrado stand to raise money for a wheelchair-accessible van
- Adri, who uses a wheelchair full-time due to spina bifida, gained city-wide support after her mom shared the fundraiser on TikTok, and the video went viral
- The campaign has inspired the community, showing how a small idea can make a big impact and help Adri gain greater independence
In Fresno, Calif., a 9-year-old is showing just how much impact one small idea can have.
Adriana “Adri” Marvella Arias set up a stand outside her home to sell hot chocolate and champurrado — not for pocket money, but to help raise funds for a wheelchair-accessible van. Born with spina bifida, Adri relies on a wheelchair for daily mobility, and her family hoped a van with a ramp would give her more independence.
Her mom, Araceli De La Garza, is Adri’s main caregiver, often lifting her in and out of the family SUV to get her to school and appointments. But as she’s gotten older, it’s starting to become more difficult to transport her, De La Garza explained in the family’s GoFundMe…