Z. Nguyen reads a sign made by Vera Bourdon Levy, 9, explaining that the proceeds from a bake/art sale at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Elm Street in Northampton will go to making Bourdon Levy more independent. Bourdon Levy’s friend, Maeve Czaplinski, 10, was also part of the sale and is hoping to raise money for an expensive soccer camp she want to attend this summer. “I find my parents buy me things and I just want to buy my own,” said Burdon Levy. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Maeve Czaplinski, 10, and Vera Bourdon Levy, 9, get Z. Nguyen cookies at a recent bake/art sale at the corner of Forbes Avenue and Elm Street in Northampton. Czaplinski is hoping to raise money for an expensive soccer camp she want to attend this summer and Bourdon Levy is hoping for more independence. “I find my parents buy me things and I just want to buy my own,” said Burdon Levy. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS