When one hears of the city Flint, MI they generally think of the water crisis that happened there a few years ago. While the issue is still prevalent for many Flint residents, one little girl is doing her best to help her fellow students be successful despite their circumstances. Amariyanna “Mari” Copeny is ten years old and from Flint, MI. In a city that is often wracked with misfortune, she is trying to make a difference. She is known for her generous heart, and now one of her projects is making headlines.
Last year Mari wanted to do something to help her fellow students in need. She knew many of them were still greatly affected by the water crisis and wouldn’t come to school prepared with the right supplies. She set about raising money to purchase and fill backpacks with school supplies. Last year she was able to raise enough money for 100 backpacks which is no small sum for a 10-year-old. To Mari, it wasn’t enough. Her mom said that she was sad because she wasn’t able to help everyone, so she was determined to try again.
This year she partnered with an organization called Pack Your Back that was started in Spring of 2016 by students from Central Michigan University. She raised enough money to fill 1,000 backpacks and an additional $10,000 in donations. The bags were filled with everything you would need for going back to school including the backpack itself, pencils, pens, markers, crayons, notebooks, highlighters, and some books.
Mari has earned the nickname “Little Miss Flint” around the area because of her charity work. Her mom Loui Brezzell says that it doesn’t surprise her that her daughter has gained that reputation for herself. She has been raised around giving, so it has become second nature to her. Galen Miller who founded Pack Your Back said the partnership with Mari was effortless and that she does an amazing job.
Brezzell said that Mari loves Flint and loves children which is why she thought it was so important to help. They wanted to get the kids starting the school year on the right foot by equipping them with the right supplies. For some still dealing with the water crisis, school supplies were probably the last thing on their mind. The Pack Your Back organization and Mari were able to alleviate at least one stress from some of those families lives.
In America, we often take for granted the convenience we have to water. Most of us don’t have to go very far to either turn on a sink or push a button on a refrigerator and instantly have clean water. The issues in Flint have reminded us all to appreciate what we’ve got. This little girl is only 10 and went above and beyond for her fellow residents. She saw a need and took steps to meet it which is amazing! Since she’s only 10, I can’t wait to see what else she will accomplish in her life.
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Source: Yahoo
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