POCAHONTAS — Jackson Nichols demonstrated that one is never too young to make a difference by making an unusual birthday wish in honor of his seventh birthday.
A party was held at the St. Paul School gymnasium Dec. 13 and in lieu of birthday presents Nichols had requested that each attendee bring a food item for the Black River Area Development (BRAD) Food Bank. Jackson’s wish was granted and more than 300 items were collected to help those in need.
BRAD Food Bank coordinator Jean Oaks said Jackson’s donation was the largest of the holidays, coming at a time when very few food drives are being held.
“I couldn’t believe a child would do that,” Oaks said. “It’s amazing.”
Oaks said St. Paul School is one of the largest contributors to the BRAD Food Bank, but said, “This is the first time I’ve seen a kid do it on their own” since the BRAD Food Bank was established in the late 1980s.
Jackson said he came up with the idea after hearing the account by his mother, Jill Tillie, of a co-worker’s child who had held a similar fundraiser in support of the Humane Society.
“He overheard me telling about it and said ’I want to do that,’ Tillie said. “But I couldn’t believe he was actually going to do it.”
When asked what he received for his birthday, Jackson responded, “A lot of cans for the poor.”
And the reason for the food drive was simple.
“We have enough food and toys, and the poor don’t have enough,” said Jackson, a first grader at St. Paul School.
Oaks said the donation was going to help a lot of families, long after Christmas was past. This past quarter 389 households were serviced at the BRAD Food Bank, 89 more than this time last year.
“We’re seeing a lot of first timers,” Oaks said. “Most people think the ones who need assistance are the ones who don’t want to work, but this isn’t true. Some are working people who have lost jobs or had their hours cut. Some are even working two part-time jobs to try to make ends meet.”
Oaks added that Jackson had certainly raised the bar in reaching out to those in need.
“If he’s learning to give at this age, there’s no telling what he’ll do by the time he’s an adult,” Oaks said. “There aren’t many adults that would do that. His family has a lot to be proud of.”
