By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor
Although she’s just 6 years old, Madison Brewer has the ambition of a veteran professional and a heart of gold. Brewer has started her own fundraiser for families in need in Plant City during the holidays.
“I want to help a family and give them Christmas presents,” Brewer said.
Brewer learned about missionaries during Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Dover this summer. She said the stories of children in need inspired her to do something to help others.
In August, she asked her parents, Deanna and Ryan, for an empty milk jug so she could collect money in it for families in need. Brewer decorated the two-gallon jug with blue clouds and birds.
“We realized how serious she was about it, so we started Madison’s Mission,” Deanna said.
The family gathered 12 smaller milk jugs and handed them out to seven friends and businesses to collect money. One of those businesses is Sisters & Company in downtown Plant City.
“There’s been a lot of response,” owner Devony Scott said about the jug that sits next to the cash register at the store’s front counter. “I’ve had people say, ‘I don’t have any cash, but can you run my debit card for it?’”
Scott will hold a sale Nov. 3, during which a percentage of Vera Bradley sales will go to Madison’s Mission. Vera Bradley has donated $175 in merchandise to be raffled off for the mission.
A family friend, Scott helped the Brewers create the logo for Madison’s Mission, which features a pink cross with a heart in the center.
“My inspiration for the logo was Madison,” Scott said. “She basically picked out everything on the computer. She knew what she wanted.”
Scott also helped Madison’s Mission launch online with a blog and Facebook page Oct. 6. Since the charity has gone online, more people have taken notice. Within the first week of its online presence, Madison’s Mission earned $100.
Since August, the mission has collected $521.83. The money will go to pay for a Thanksgiving meal for a family at Bailey Elementary, Madison’s school. After Thanksgiving, Brewer will continue to carry around her large milk jug everywhere she goes to collect money for another family for Christmas.
Deanna always knew Madison had a generous heart but believes church has influenced Brewer to make an impact in the community.
“I’m proud that at 6 years old, she realizes how important it is to give back,” Deanna said. “Also, this teaches her she can accomplish anything when she sets her mind to it.”
The Brewers hope to continue collecting money for families after the holidays and throughout next year to have a bigger donation for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013.
For more, visit helpmadisonsmission.blogspot.com.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW TO HELP
Want to help Madison’s Mission? Visit helpmadisonsmission.blogspot.com or send donations to:
Madison Brewer
P.O. Box 1533
Dover, FL 33527