Seven-Year-Old Turns Birthday Weekend into Mission to Help Animals

Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Brittany Thompson

Addison Thompson’s seventh birthday fell over the Fourth of July weekend, but with the Central Texas flooding, she and her family couldn’t celebrate the way they had hoped. “I thought she’d be upset, but she was more concerned about the families and pets being displaced,” her mom, Brittany, says.

Instead of focusing on the canceled plans, Addison asked if they could do something to help. “She’s just got a big heart for animals,” Brittany says. “She just got a puppy and knows it takes a lot to take care of them.” At first, Addison suggested a lemonade stand or bake sale, but with three kids at home, the family needed something that fit their busy schedule. That’s when Brittany, who owns a T-shirt company, had an idea: “What if we design shirts and donate the proceeds?”

Through the end of August, all profits from shirts featuring Texas designs will go to the Williamson County Animal Shelter, which has taken in animals from flooded areas like Georgetown and Lampasas. “My mom said a bunch of animals went to the shelter, and they don’t have a bunch of money,” Addison says. “So we decided to make money so they can hopefully buy food, toys, and beds.”

Check out all the Texas-themed shirts on TheBAMcollective’s store on Etsy.