By Mark Ambrogi
Victoria Martine had no idea what she would do with the proceeds of her children’s book, so she decided to put it to good use.
As a Zionsville West Middle School sixth grader, Martine wrote a 24-page book called “The 100 Dollar Sock.”
“I published the book about something that happened in our lives,” said Martine, now a Zionsville Community High School junior. “I decided I would donate the proceeds to an orphanage in Guatemala. When I had donated my toys and clothes and items like that there, I always felt a really good feeling. So I thought I would with a monetary donation as well.”
Martine has raised a total of $2,100 in the past five years from book sales, and she makes a yearly donation.
Martine, 17, was presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize her selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Indiana in the 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards during a March 14 ceremony at ZCHS.
“It’s basically a signal that I’m doing the right thing,” Martine said. “I’m giving back to my community and the people around me.”
Martine’s church, Carmel’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, does annual mission trips to the orphanage, Hogar Rafael Ayau in San Miguel del Lago.
The book is about a washer repair that cost a $100 because of a stuck sock.
“The repair charges them a very large amount for a small thing, which was the sock,” said Martine, who based the story on something that happened with her family.
Martine sells her books when visiting schools, libraries and elsewhere.
“I go to the elementary schools and talk to the first graders there, because they are doing their own writing of short stories,” Martine said.
Because she raised money for the orphanage, Martine was able to volunteer in 2013 at age 14. The age requirement is normally 18.
The book is available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
