By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
BATON ROUGE – When 8-year-old Taylor Henry saw the devastation caused by August flooding in southern Louisiana, she realized something must be done.
What she did not foresee is how her desire would turn into an effort that raised more than $7,000 for those affected by the disaster.
Henry, her parents and grandparents made the journey to Woodlawn Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, where she presented a check during the Oct. 9 worship service.
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 area.
“This was a really good experience for me and one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done,” said Henry, whose family are members of Airline Baptist Church in Bossier City. “I probably won’t experience anything like this again. The flooding was really bad in south Louisiana.
“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 continued. “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.”
Since August 21, Henry has sewn fabric to make tissue holders. She hoped by selling these she would be able 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 Shreveport-Bossier City area, but also from California, Tennessee, West Virginia 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 to hold travel-sized tissue packets – about 1,000 total.
Henry’s mom, Julia, said her daughter’s kindness toward others makes her a proud mother.
“I can’t explain the admiration I have for my little eight-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 heart-warming to see so many kind-hearted individuals come together for a common cause.”
Woodlawn Baptist 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, praising 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,” he 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 youngster to raise money for disaster relief efforts.
Third graders Hunter Schneider and Hunter Hayden capitalized on the sweltering heat to help south Louisianans affected by the flooding. The two boys from First Baptist Church in Haughton opened a lemonade stand for two weekends in September, raising $250.
Instead of playing X-Box or being bored, Hunter Schneider and Hunter Hayden, who both attend First Baptist, Haughton, put together a lemonade stand to raise money to help the victims of the south Louisiana floods. They were able to give $250 toward flood relief.
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, to help those impacted by the floodwaters.
The money from all four boys was donated to a church which is rebuilding after receiving more than 2 feet in its sanctuary and 3 to 4 feet in other buildings.
“We made a commitment as a church to partner with Stevendale Baptist Church in Baton Rouge to help them rebuild after the flood,” said Gevan Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Haughton and president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “We have seen God’s people selflessly give their time and money to this need.
“The physical labor has to be done by adults and older youth, these young boys were not content with doing nothing, so they decided to do what they could do,” he continued. “This is just another story of how Louisiana Baptists of all ages have come together to do what they could to help with this disaster.”
Wyatt English and Brody Beach decided to request money in place of birthday presents so they could donate the cash to Louisiana flood relief.
