Makynna – A Champion for St. Jude’s

Hey there, friends!

Today, I want to do something a little different from many of my previous posts.

I’d like to introduce you to this SUPER cool kid I know – Makynna.

I met Makynna a couple years ago while volunteering as a coach for Girls on the Run. I know you’re not supposed to say you have favorites during those things, but (don’t tell anyone) she was my favorite.

It was easy to see Makynna has a heart of gold, and she works harder than most adults I know. She was always the first to be of assistance, and she did so with compassion and a desire to learn. Oh, but there’s this little thing…. she’s an Alabama fan.

I know, I know… I shouldn’t consort with the enemy. 😉 But if that doesn’t really tell you how awesome she is… that I would continue to call her my favorite even though she says those two ugly words…. Rrr… Rrrrr… Ugh. I can’t. I can’t do it. Y’all know what they are.

Anyway, a couple months back, Makynna’s equally awesome mom reached out to me about taking a few pictures of Mak for an upcoming event she was working really hard on. You see, this is Makynna’s second year participating in the St Jude Marathon events. When her mom reached out, I knew this was something I’d want to help out with, especially since it meant hanging out with my best girl!

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when we met at the YMCA to hang out. Makynna had just finished her weightlifting class like the boss that she is. She was quick to tell me some news that might have been disappointing for her, but makes me respect her even more…. Makynna can’t actually run the race this year, because of a schedule conflict with another really awesome talent of hers – honor band. But wait – that’s not going to stop her! She still intends on raising the money to which she committed!

At just 12 years old, Makynna has set a goal of $1500 she wishes to raise in memory of her cousin who battled childhood cancer. Though she’ll take money of all forms, she has chosen to leverage her talents and love of art to sell paintings to raise money to meet her goal. You’ll see several of those down below. She can recreate any of these paintings or create new designs. After all, she FREE HANDS them, y’all! The girl is all kinds of talented.

If you don’t know much about St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and what they do, you can read more about them by clicking here, but the short of the story is this – at St Jude’s, families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, because they believe the only thing a parent should have to worry about is helping their child live. Friends, can you imagine? Can you imagine a hospital treating your child, brother, sister, grandchild, niece, or nephew? Giving them their life back and never charging you a dime for it? How grateful would you be?

So, I challenge you as you read this…. what is $5 or $10? A Starbucks drink? Sacrificing lunch out one day this week? Can you spare just a few dollars (or a lot more!) to help this super hard-working, extremely talented, heart of gold kiddo reach her goal? Even if she does cheer for the Crimson Tide.

You can make donations directly to St Jude in her name by clicking here.

And if you’d like to know more about purchasing a painting from her, simply comment with your email below, and I’ll send you over more information!