We had never done anything "big" like this before. We talk with Grace quite a bit about how she is fortunate and how it is important to help others. For her last 2 birthdays she collected school supplies and pet supplies from her friends instead of gifts to donate, but as far as reaching the masses and trying something bigger - we were clueless. We made fliers, made a facebook event page, and used word of mouth. For the first time trying, we didn't do too bad!
The generosity of others has floored me. It was Christmas time when we did this and I know it can be rough sometimes to provide for your own families. But, the pajamas kept coming! With the help of our families, friends, and even some people we didn't know, the donations totaled 117 pairs of pajamas! She had set her first goal at collecting 50 pair and met that in a week! Every time a donation would come in, Grace would do a "woo hoo" and make sure we marked it down so she could keep count. She would comment on her favorite pairs about how she was sure that a child at the shelter would really like them.
When we called the shelter to turn them in over Grace's Christmas break, they told me there would be a lady from them newspaper there to interview Grace. She was excited about that - you can read that article right here!. She was more excited when there were 3 pictures of her in the newspaper along with her article!
Last week, the vice president of the shelter called me and said she had some exciting news. Our local news station had called her because they had several emails from people nominating Grace to be the unsung hero for the week. The unsung hero is usually someone who does a good deed, helps others, etc. This was exciting news, as Grace had made one of her New Year's resolutions "to be on TV". ha! When she got home from school, I told her one of her resolutions was going to come true already. Seeing as how the other one was to be an "inernashaniel rock star" and we knew that one wasn't here just yet, she was bug-eyed when she realized she was going to be on tv. I explained to her what an unsung hero was, and that it was an honor. I know she understands, but I don't know how much she understands that it means. One day she will really know. I had to pick her up from school Monday during class (much to her dismay - right) and take her to the shelter where the news anchor and camera man met us there. Grace said she was nervous but she sure didn't show it!
They asked her great questions, and being 10 years old, I know she didn't give the answers an adult would have given but she did very well! She made me tear up a little when she was talking about the kids at the shelter and how it made her feel to collect everyone's donations help them. Then, little did I know, they wanted to interview me also. Me - dressed in my scrubs, ready to go back to work as soon as it was over - me. Yeah. I am not a camera person. While I think sometimes I can write pretty ok, I am not a speaker. In no way, shape, or form. I blubbered like a fool. I cried when they asked what we would want people to know about Grace. I left out things that later I wished I would have said. And, I asked them to keep my part to the bare minimum if they had to put it in there at all! Grace definitely interviews much better than I do!
When they asked Grace if she felt like a hero, the answer most people would give is no....she proudly said yes! While I think the real heroes are all of those who graciously donated pajamas, I do think Grace is a hero all her own! She wouldn't have been able to do this if it weren't for all of the donations from wonderful people. I was very proud of her though for doing this so selflessly. She never once asked what she would get in return. She never wanted to know what we would do for her if she did it. She jumped on the wagon and took the reigns. For that, she is my hero and I am so proud of her!
WSIL news anchor, Emily Eddington, the Executive Director of The Night's Shield, Judy Davis, and the Director of Development for The Night's Shield, Shawna Williams. If you are in our local area, you can catch Grace on News Channel 3 this Friday at 6 and 10!
When you see anyone (especially a child) making an effort, helping someone, even if it's holding open a door for someone else....recognize that. Let them know that it's appreciated! People helping people....makes this a happier place!
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