Published: July 09, 2008 10:17 pm            

Friends & Neighbors: Alli Swinford

Last September, 8-year-old Alli Swinford decided to create a neighborhood lemonade stand. Patrons could purchase cold glasses of refreshing lemonade for 50 cents and candy for 5 cents. She made $16 the first day. Typical childhood endeavor, right?

Think again.

It was the starting block for her goal of working and earning $,1,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis after seeing a video about the hospital at Varnell Elementary. At press time, she was $32.64 shy of reaching that goal.

The video was part of Math-A-Thon, an event held at the school in the early spring. The student who raises the most money to help children in a certain period of time is deemed the winner. Alli decided she wanted to help — but under her own terms.

“I wanted to do it on my own, and take my time and raise as much money as I could,” she said.

During the summer, she mulled things over, then approached her dad, Bobby, with her plan. He told her that if she made her goal, he would drive her to St. Jude to deliver the money personally. That promise proved to be all the encouragement she needed.

Out came the aforementioned lemonade stand marked with a sign, “Lemonade for Life.” Alli insisted on doing most of the work herself, relying only on a little help from her mom, Jessica, and her Nana (grandmother).

“Nana made lemonade for me, except the one time Mama made it and it wasn’t that good,” she confessed. “Mom helped get jugs out because they were heavy and I didn’t want it to spill, but most of it I did on my own.”

When the weather turned too cold for lemonade, Alli went to her mother and asked what else she could do. It was then that her parents knew their daughter remained serious in her quest.

“Her great-grandmother recycled cans, so she said, ‘I can do that. Will you buy me a can crusher?’” Jessica Swinford said.

Alli also did chores around the house such as dusting and vacuuming for an average of $5 per week, and placed donation jars at Kelly’s Restaurant and Ann’s Restaurant. Even her 14-year-old brother Josh voluntarily donated the $20 he earned mowing the lawn because he was impressed with his sister’s efforts.

Where did this little girl get such big determination?

“When (my brother and I) were little, we used to tell Mom and Dad we couldn’t do what we needed to,” said Alli. “They would always read us the Bible. There’s this one verse, ‘You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you,’ so that’s what I tell myself when things get hard — I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, no matter what I do.”

Alli is looking forward to her trip to Memphis. In addition to presenting the hospital with the money, she plans to visit some of the patients whose faces she can’t forget.

“I want to say, ‘You’re going to be in my prayers. I raised some money for your hospital, and I hope you get better,’” she said. “Every dollar counts because all those patients need it. The video looked so sad and I had tears in my eyes. Miley Cyrus was in the video and she’s one of my favorite singers. She sang a song that made me feel like I needed to help. It’s called ‘Right Here.’”

Once Alli reaches her goal, she will accept monetary donations from the public for a limited time. To donate, call (706) 217-8079.

How do her parents feel about their budding philanthropist?

“We’re proud and humbled by it,” said Jessica Swinford. “It just lets you know that with the faith of a child you can do many things. I think everyone can learn by helping others. This isn’t for her glory, it’s for what she did it for.”

Alli’s success promises this experience won’t be her last. In fact, she’s already eyeing philanthropic work as a career.

“When I grow up, I want to raise money for kids. It makes me feel so good inside,” she said.

        

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