LYNN HAVEN — Six-year-old Grace Hood had a blast last weekend helping to sort items donated for a yard sale to support Friends of Grace, a charity she started.
Grace’s first foray into charity was last year, when her parents, who donate regularly to various charities, let their daughter choose who they should help next.
“I had $80 in my bank account,” Grace said. “I bought Christmas presents for the ones that don’t have moms and dads.”
Grace’s parents, Norma and James Hood, helped her put together baskets of gifts for children at Anchorage Children’s Home, but Grace didn’t want to stop there. So, the family started Friends of Grace Inc. to fulfill Grace’s vision of providing gifts to the children at Anchorage. Friends of Grace is registered with the Florida Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation and the family is in the process of applying for 501(c)3 status.
“A couple weeks ago, she came to us and said she wanted to do a yard sale so she could buy birthday presents for the kids who don’t have mommas and daddies,” said Mary Ellen Adamcryk, Grace’s grandmother.
The family received hundreds of donated items for the yard sale and expects more. Grace herself happily gave up several of her own toys, including a toy truck her father gave her.
“I’m really proud of her. I’m speechless,” said James Hood. “I’m at a loss of words for amazement at how caring and loving a young lady she is.”
Grace didn’t wait to start raising money for her charity. With the help of her family, she’s already sold $100 worth of Sonic Drive-in’s Community First Value Cards and designed a Friends of Grace T-shirt, on sale for $25.
“I think it’s pretty awesome,” said Anchorage development director Brooke Bullard of Grace’s efforts, “I think it’s great, a young lady her age starting out giving to others in the community and making sure others’ needs are met. It’s pretty impressive.”
Bullard said children donating to Anchorage isn’t uncommon and the organization receives many contributions through families throwing birthday parties and requesting that instead of gifts, party guests donate an item from one the needs or wish lists found on AnchorageChildrensHome.org.
The Hood family plans to hold more yard sales like this one in the future in a continuing effort to aid Anchorage. To donate, contact Norma Hood at 276-5607.
“Come to the yard sale on the 28th of June,” Grace said.
WANT TO GO?
- What: charity yard sale
- Who: Friends of Grace
- Where: 2500 Minnesota Ave., Lynn Haven
- When: June 28 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine
-Details: Facebook.com/MyFriendsOfGrace