BATON ROUGE, La. — When 8-year-old Taylor Henry saw the devastation from flooding in south Louisiana, she wanted to do something.
What she did not foresee is how her desire would turn into an effort that raised more than $7,000 for those affected by record flooding in August.
Henry, her parents and grandparents journeyed to Baton Rouge where she presented a check during Woodlawn Baptist Church’s worship service in October.
The youngster was all smiles as she handed over the donation, which will be used to purchase sheetrock to help rebuild houses and churches in the Baton Rouge area.
“This was a really good experience for me and one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” said Henry.
“I felt horrible for how bad the flooding was but felt glad I got to help the flood victims physically in their homes and by raising money for them,” she said.
“The donation I brought may not be the biggest donation but it was able to save a couple of houses by buying materials. I really think God gave me this idea and He is the reason for it all.”
Henry began sewing fabric to make travel-size tissue holders several days after the flooding began, aiming to raise $1,000 — but she far exceeded her goal, raising seven times that amount.
News of her initiative spread quickly and orders arrived from the local Bossier City-Shreveport area as well California, West Virginia, Tennessee and even Canada.
So many orders came in that family and friends volunteered to help her about two hours every day to assemble fabric squares into pouches for the tissue holders — about 1,000 in all.
Henry’s mom Julia said her daughter’s kindness toward others makes her a proud parent.
“I can’t explain the admiration I have for my little 8-year-old and her big heart,” she said. “This project has been such an amazing experience. We were able to speak with people from all across the country who sent their prayers and donations to the flood victims in south Louisiana. It was heartwarming to see so many kindhearted individuals come together for a common cause.”
Pastor Lewis Richerson commended Henry as a shining example of how obedience to God multiplies to help others.
“You see what God did through a little third-grade child?” Richerson asked during the worship service about how Henry used her gifts and talents to advance the Kingdom of God.
“Taylor, we want to say as a congregation thank you so very much for letting God work through you,” the pastor continued. “And my prayer for you is that this will serve as an example in your life that you will never forget and you will continue to be a very generous young lady as you seek to serve the Lord in whatever He has you to do in life.”
Lemonade & birthday money
Henry was not the only Louisiana youngster to raise money for disaster relief.
Instead of playing X-Box or being bored, third-graders Hunter Schneider and Hunter Hayden capitalized on the sweltering heat by opening a lemonade stand for two weekends in September, raising $250.
Two other young men from the church, second-graders Wyatt English and Brody Beach, each gave money they received as birthday presents. Instead of buying things for themselves, they gave cash gifts they received, $500 combined.
The money from all four boys was donated to a church which is rebuilding after receiving more than 2 feet of water in its sanctuary and 3 to 4 feet in other buildings.
— by Brian Blackwell | BP
Brian Blackwell is a staff writer for the Baptist Message