From the Playground: Glen Cove Girl Seeks Earthquake Relief

Glen Cove resident Faith Bifone said she hadn't planned to discuss the recent tragedies in Japan with her young daughter Olivia; but when the inquisitive four-year-old caught Thursday morning's television news report, she was eager to help out.

Olivia immediately enlisted her mother's help in organizing a fundraiser to aid the earthquake victims in Japan.

“She approached me and said she was very upset for the people in Japan,” Faith said. “She she saw the news about it and was asking me questions about what an earthquake is, tsunamis, and what it all means. She suggested to look online for organizations to help."

Olivia executed her plan for earthquake relief in one of the most unlikely places: .

With only a glass jar, a hand-written sign, a pink, plastic play table, and a juice box, Olivia spent Thursday afternoon collecting money from playground dwellers. She said she plans to donate all funds to a disaster relief organization. 

"So far people have been very positive and receptive," Faith said. "We've gotten a lot of donations since this morning."

Olivia and her mother started their day off collecting donations outside of .

"When she came in, Olivia also told me, since it was such a beautiful day, she wanted to go to the playground – not to play – but to ask for donations," said Olivia's father and Glen Cove police officer Sonny Bifone. "I was completely moved by her intentions, and I didn't know a four-year-old could understand the situation, let alone sympathize this way."

Olivia – who is currently enrolled in the pre-k program at the  and plans to start Kindergarten at  in the fall – has impressed the community with her actions, including her father.

"This simple act of charity from this little girl has floored me, and it made me think about all the little things we worry about in our day to day lives, how we don't appreciate the simple things," Sonny said. "We take a lot of things for granted, and they could be snapped from us in a blink of an eye."

While the Bifones have researched several relief organizations, including the Red Cross, to send their donations to, Faith said it will ultimately be Olivia's choice.

"I was really excited to support her doing this. She was afraid and it was a good way to give her some control over her fear," Faith said. "It's never too early to teach kids how to help out."

While Olivia had only just learned of the earthquake in Japan, she understood the crux of the matter: "Their families are missing," she said from behind her pink table. "People need food and water."

Faith said that Olivia will be collecting donations again at the playground on Friday, possibly Saturday, and at . 

"We'll need to get lots of jars," Olivia said.