Hauser freshman raises funds for Blessing Box

When it comes to celebrating another year older, Hauser freshman Haylin Campbell continues to set an example for others by showing its always better to give than to receive.

“I’ve been wanting to help people for a few years,” Haylin says. “And I thought this year would be a good year to help people for the Blessing Box, for people who don’t have anything and need it.”

A few weeks before her birthday last year, Haylin established a fundraiser on social media. By her birthday on November 6th, Haylin had raised $460, so she and her mother, Emily, took a shopping trip.

With her shopping cart stacked to overflowing, Haylin stocked up on a variety of canned and nonperishable food items and ended her trip with enough to stock both Blessing Boxes twice over.

“While we were at the Blessing Box stocking, we had a lady come up – I didn’t realize it was during the free meal site at the Moravian Church,” Emily says. “And there was an elderly lady who came up and took a couple of things and thanked Haylin for what she was doing. That was really sweet.”

Although a bit unexpected, Haylin says the woman’s kind words meant a lot.

“It made me feel really good about myself,” Haylin says. “It was nice to help others.”

This marks the second year Campbell has gathered items for the Blessing Boxes, which are located outside the Moravian Church in Hope and Hartsville Church of Christ in Hartsville. In previous years, the 15-year-old has also given to other organizations, including the Fireman’s Cheer Fund.

“Without kids like Haylin and other adults in the community, there is not a chance we could maintain these boxes,” says Whitney Budd, co-founder of the Student’s Fund of Hope. “This, hands down, has been our biggest project since starting the fund. We didn’t realize the amount of usage they would get. We knew there were families in need in our town, but we didn’t necessarily realize the need was so dire.”

Launched during the pandemic, the Blessing Boxes have certainly proven a valuable resource.

Each month, the Student’s Fund allocates between $150 and $300 – depending on donations – to go straight to purchasing items for the Blessing Boxes, Budd says. It is clear the program is utilized more when the temperatures fall than during the spring and summer months, Budd adds.

When asked, Haylin says this tradition of offering blessings instead of asking for gifts will continue.

Haylin says her peers have been very supportive of her efforts and she hopes that they, too, will give back.

She adds, “Doing a little bit in the environment makes a big difference in the community.”

As any parent would be, Haylin’s mother says she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter.

“We have tried to instill in our kids just how fortunate they are,” Emily says. “I grew up with less than quite a bit, so I just want them to be aware of what others go through. Haylin has definitely picked up on the vibe of helping others for sure.”

Budd says Haylin’s efforts to help others is setting an example and offering relief to those who need it.

“I just really commend Haylin,” Budd says. “She has been a great role model for other children here in our community and I think it is a testament to her parents who have fostered that heart of giving.”

Budd adds that by setting an example for other kids Haylin’s age, the teen is making others aware of the Blessing Boxes as a valuable resource for area families.

“She is doing something great not only for the blessing box, but also for the entire community because she is notifying them this is a resource there,” Budd says. “And maybe they wouldn’t have known that otherwise.”

Those who want to make a donation to the Blessing Boxes can visit studentsfundofhope.org for a list of needed items, Budd says.

“We always ask them to check expiration dates, make sure items are unopened and are not perishable,” Budd says. “Anything you put in the boxes, like bread or fresh fruit, is gone in a matter of hours.”