Newport News, Va. - A 10-year-old Newport News girl is in our spotlight for taking action in a big way.
She wanted to send holiday cards to our local troops--a lot of cards. There were so many, it surprised her mom and the American Red Cross in Hampton which was coordinating the effort.
Recently, Debbie Sutton with the Red Cross, got to meet this ambitious girl scout and say thanks. Sutton admits when she first heard little Brianna Wall wanted to make 2,000 cards, she was shocked.
"I could not believe it. One little girl, that shows you what people can do."
Last month, Brianna participated in the Red Cross' Holiday Mail for Heroes Program. Brianna printed up 2,000 cards with the message: Merry Christmas. Thank you so much for serving our country. She said part of the reason for doing this was a family connection.
"I wanted to give back because both my grandfathers served in the U.S. Army."
When she first brought up the idea to her mom, Anna Wall thought Brianna was thinking about.
"500 cards at most. That was going to be a lot in my opinion!" And then Brianna responded with wanting to do 2,000! And her mom agreed. They went through several printer cartridges, and night after night, it was a lot of folding, stuffing and licking envelops--2,000 of them.
And because of that, we presented Brianna with a People Taking Action award along with a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
It all makes mom a little emotional.
"Just because I'm so proud of her. She never gave up, and it means a lot to her to give back to the community."
The cards went to various local military bases.
Brianna is already thinking about next Christmas, how many this time? Brianna says 4,000 adding, "With mom's help!"
