If there is a need to be met, count Emma Christopher among the first in line to do something about it. The Wilmeth Elementary 5th grader recently raised $811 for Webb Elementary where she attends ALPHA classes twice a week. It wasn’t part of an official program, and nobody asked her to do it.
Her motivation was simple. “Sometimes when I’m walking around, I see problems and I want to help fix them,” Emma said.
So, she made small clay birds and gave them away at Arts in Bloom in downtown McKinney. With each bird, she simply asked for a donation to go toward her school. Emma raised about $400. Then her father got involved and communicated Emma’s efforts to a contact at Academy Sports and Outdoors. The company generously agreed to match Emma’s donation.
On Tuesday, May 1, Emma presented Webb Elementary with a check for $811. The money will go toward the purchase of recess equipment and other general improvements around the campus.
Emma would be the last person to seek recognition for her act of kindness, but Webb Elementary Principal Kyle Luthi hopes that Emma’s example will inspire her fellow students. “I think it’s great that she’s willing to show others that they can get involved too and do some great things for their school,” Luthi said.
Emma’s willingness to take action, to initiate change, is a poignant challenge to all of us.
See a problem? Do something to fix it.
