Shouting While Saying Nothing

You are walking in the mall and taking in all the recession sales. You are enjoying a moment away from the office or away from the chaos of your home. You are contemplating your relaxing dinner plans or your upcoming spa appointmen t... when it comes out of nowhere.

The loud and shrill scream of a 10-year-old girl — usually the result of the young girl's discovery of the latest Hannah Montana lunchbox or spotting a new Jonas Brothers album. It's a sound that sends a shiver right down your spine and can only be compared to the feeling one gets when hearing someone drag their fingernails across a chalkboard (do people use these anymore?).

A group of youngsters in the United Kingdom have eliminated this sound from the arsenal of annoyance. Chlie Mayne (age 10), Katie Fegusson (10), Jessica Brassington (9) and Molly Veckungs (9) of Stapenhill, England, held a sponsored silence for an entire day to raise cash for the children's ward at Burton's Queen's Hospital.

The girls had the idea to support the cause themselves, and gathered the support of family, friends, and teachers. They raised £146.79 and donated it to the hospital.

Chloe's mother, Karen Mayne, told the United Kingdom's Burton Mail that "They were really excited that they had raised a lot of money especially for the children on the ward and I think because they are children themselves they are able to sympathise with the patients."

So, I offer this "do good" idea as another tool in the parental tool box for maintaining your sanity. With millions and millions of nonprofits and hospitals around the world, you could get away with "silent fundraisers" for a good 30 years. Think about it! Now, I've got to sign off and listen to the latest Jonas Brothers album — I screamed when I saw it on iTunes, by the way.