Inspired by lessons from her church and school about giving, an 8-year-old girl is sewing tissue holders and selling them to raise funds for the flood victims in Louisiana.
Taylor Henry, whose family lives in Bossier City, Louisiana, is sewing tissue holders and selling them for $5 a piece, aiming to raise $1,000 to help families devastated by the floods.
"I feel so sad for them," she told KSLA News 12.
Her mom, Julia Henry, posted the announcement on Facebook and it quickly became viral.
"Taylor is selling these 'Taylor-Made' Kleenex Holders for $5 each to raise money for South Louisiana flood victims. All of the money she makes she will donate," she wrote, adding that it comes with Kleenex tissue.
The young girl explained that "the donations will be going to my church, who will then donate them to flood victims."
By Thursday, Taylor has sold 469 tissue holders totaling $2,345, more than twice the amount she thought of raising.
"Thank you to everyone who has shared and purchased Taylor's tissue holders!! She has MORE than surpassed her goal and has sold 469 (at my last count!) tissue holders!!! We have had the opportunity to speak with people affected by the flooding in our home state as well as individuals in New Hampshire, California, New York, Nevada, etc. It's so amazing how quickly good news can spread! " her mom posted on Facebook.
She added, "We are so touched and overwhelmed by the support! We appreciate your patience while we fulfill the orders."
People have also donated materials including stamps and envelopes to Taylor for her project.
Gov. John Bel Edwards announced on Wednesday that 20 parishes had been declared major disaster areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"This is an historic flooding incident in Louisiana," said Edwards. "We are working around the clock to get every available resource into the hands of the people of our state."
