Eight-year-old with Big Heart Raises Money for Needy Family

Eight-year-old Gracie Kendall, daughter of Paul and Kerry Kendall of Monticello, has taken it upon herself to raise money for children who need some extra care, especially around the holiday season.

“I need to let you know about a most magnificent, unselfish act that one of my students has been doing for several months,” Gracie’s second grade teacher, Virginia “Ginny” Spurlock, told The News.

Miss Kendall asked her family if she could sell baked goods so she could raise money for children who need some extra care and love due to illness.

She set a goal of $100, but through her diligence and determination, she raised a total of $520, that she presented to a family Tuesday night.

Miss Kendall and her mom baked cookie pops and Whoopie pies to sell for the benefit. She initially sold her goods at the recreation ball field. Peyton Proctor, Jasper County Primary School Principal, allowed Miss Kendall to put items into the teacher workroom for purchase.

Mr. Kendall said to be sure to thank all who donated, as a cookie fetched at one time, a $20 donation, and those efforts along with anyone who made a purchase made a difference in the lives of those children.

Initially, Miss Kendall’s donations were to be put toward a hospital, but with her huge heart, she informed her mom that she didn’t want to just give it to the hospital and not know the actual person that was helped by it.

She wanted to befriend the person and become their “prayer” pal. Miss Kendall was adamant that she know the family personally who was receiving the donation rather than just donating to a children’s hospital.

Mrs. Kendall and Mrs. Spurlock tried to set up a connection with one of the students at JCPS, but because of privacy policies, were unable to do this.

That still didn’t stop Gracie and her family.

The family that was helped was found through a flyer in a convenience store which was asking for donations toward a benefit being held for a family where all three children were diagnosed with cancer and their mom is sick, as well.

So, Gracie’s family made great strides to aid this family and presented them with the money that was raised. “It is such an astounding thing for a seven-year-old child to have a mission this big,” said Mrs. Spurlock.

She hopes that it will inspire others (children and adults alike) to be a bit more focused on kindness towards others rather than just their own personal wants and needs.

“We need as much good news as we can get to lift people’s spirits in these troubled times,” said Ms. Spurlock.

The recipients of the extra funds, pictured here with Gracie include Chase Wilkins, 11 (back, left), Taylor Wilkins, 8 (front left), Gracie Kendall, 8, (center) and Joshua Wilkins, 10.

The Wilkins children suffer from a NF-1 genetic disorder that causes tumors to form throughout the body.