Hudson Hopper, 9, makes a cash donation to Stephen Smith, Greer Community Ministries Executive Director. Mark Hopper is on the right.
Greer Community Ministries
Hudson Hopper, a nine-year-old, delivered $205 in cash to Greer Community Ministries (GCM) so that he could help feed homebound Meals on Wheels clients. Hopper just started the fourth grade at Lyman Elementary School.
Hopper’s third grade teacher Emily Starkey challenged her students to pick a project to complete during school year, Hopper chose Greer Meals on Wheels. His parents, Mark and Amanda Hopper, have delivered a Meals on Wheels route in Greer for the past two years.
Hopper’s was goal to raise $100, enough to provide 45 clients with lunch at $4 per meal. He would collect aluminum cans and turn them in for cash. He exceeded his goal by collecting 6,100 cans and cash donations throughout the year.
“We had a lot of aluminum at our house,” Mark said. They took four trips to the recycling facility to collect the cash.
“We loaded the cars down,” said Amanda. “You could push them down and get a lot in the trunk.”
Karen Roughton, Meals on Wheels coordinator, said that teachers like Starkey are inspiring youth to put down their electronic devices and see that others in the community really need their help.
“These are the kids that will grow up and sustain our awesome ministry,” Roughton said. “We are so blessed to have students like Hudson and teachers that are teaching kids to go beyond themselves.”
GCM will use the funds to directly benefit Meals on Wheels clients. The ministry feeds about 300 homebound people in the greater Greer area each weekday.
Visit gcminc.org for more information.