While Avery Sanford was in class at her high school, her dad showed up at her house with a trailer full of pennies. Without speaking to anyone, he dumped 80,000 pennies across the front yard and left.
A security camera caught the whole thing. Her mom, Raven Sickal, came outside to see what was happening and asked the man what he was doing. He said: “It’s your final child support payment.” That’s when she realized it was Avery’s father.
Avery hadn’t spoken to him in years. She told a local news station: “It’s not just my mom he’s trying to embarrass. It’s also me and my sister and it’s upsetting that he didn’t consider that before he did this.”
Instead of getting angry, Avery and her mom decided to donate the pennies. They gave the entire amount to Safe Harbor, a nonprofit that helps survivors of abuse and violence.
Avery said: “Turning around and donating that money to moms and children in need, I feel like that really turns this situation into a positive one.”
They had no idea what would happen next. After their story got out, donations started pouring in.
Safe Harbor received money from people all over, even outside the country. Some messages came with kind words and support for Avery and her family.
One donation note said: “Way to take the high road. What a strong and beautiful gesture you made.” Another said: “I also want to support the Sanford family and their generosity in the face of a very toxic act. Peace!”
When Raven saw the donation messages, she broke down. She said: “It made both of us very emotional. This reach has been amazing and the thoughtfulness and kind gestures have been beyond anything we expected.”
When asked why he did it, Avery’s dad told a reporter: “The result of 18 years of built-up frustration.” He wasn’t looking to drive a wedge between him and his daughter.
That wedge was made anyway. Avery said: “It’s really hurtful and damaging to your kids when you do things like that. It doesn’t matter if they’re young or an adult, the actions of your parents will always have some effect on you.”
Raven reported the incident but didn’t take it further. In the end, they turned something spiteful into something good.