Six-year-old Dylan Quick looks at his cousin, 4-month-old Paityn Elston, who needs a liver transplant. (Submitted photo) 

By Jean Schlegel
Valley City Times-Record

When 6-year-old Dylan Quick of Valley City learned his little cousin, 4-month-old Paityn Elston, needed a liver transplant, he went into action.
Paityn is the daughter of Jason and Angie Elston of Casselton. The Elstons are the niece and nephew of Dylan's mother, Kathy Quick of Valley City. Dylan's father is Jim Quick of Dazey.
Dylan's mother was trying to think of a way to raise money to help cover medical costs when Dylan said he wanted to give Paityn a new blanket to take into surgery with her. When his mother asked him how he would pay for the blanket, Dylan said he would ask  his friends at Jefferson School, where he is in kindergarten, for a dollar each.
His mother thought this was a good idea so she had some pamphlets made up, explaining what the situation was. They called their project, “Dollar Day for Baby Paityn.” She distributed them to all the schools in Valley City: Jefferson and Washington elementary schools, Valley City High School and St. Catherine Catholic School on Monday, Nov. 24, and she and Dylan picked up the donations there just a few days later, on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
They couldn't believe how much money they had raised: more than $1,300. Not only had students donated money for Paityn, so had the teachers and staff at the schools. There are about 1,000 students in the Valley City schools, so that means they each gave more than one dollar, Kathy said. “People in Valley City are so great, and always willing to help,” she added.
Dylan was in awe, his mother said. “It was an exciting thing for him. Dylan said, ‘Look, mother!’” Dylan also got his wish for a blanket for Paityn. His teacher, Nicole Powers, other teachers and students made a blanket for Paityn.
Kathy was also amazed at how the students and others pitched in at such quick notice to help someone in need. She said she wants to thank everyone who participated in this cause.
There are only 68 students at St. Catherine School and they donated $228, which means they gave more than the dollar, she commented, and one of the
schools put in a book for Paityn.

For full story, see Wednesday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.