azin amlk n g girls
alexandria
mills A g r a n d m a ’ s h e a rt is a hodgepodge of love. She’s a little bit parent, a little bit best friend, and a little bit teacher. No one knows this better than Alexandria Marion Mills, a rising junior at Cannon School.
It was her Mimi, (her mother’s mother, Betty Marion) who instilled in Alexandria the importance of giving. As a youngster, Alexandria enjoyed spending time with her Mimi, and her grandmother suggested that together they find a way to help the less fortunate. They considered organizing a food or clothing drive, but those efforts were already underway in the community, and they wanted to serve a need that was not being met. During a hotel stay, Mimi and Alexandria, then 7 years old, had an “Aha” moment. Simple everyday items such as soaps and shampoos are often overlooked. Says Alexandria, “Small, basic items are very important to a successful day. It’s important to look and feel your best. When you are down on your luck, these basic essentials may be just the thing you need to help you get back up.”
favoritebook? “Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo, is very touching and inspiring.”
Alexandria began collecting the complimentary toiletries she didn’t use while staying at hotels. Her Mimi introduced her to the Mooresville Soup Kitchen, which helped connect Alexandria with folks in the community in need of her items, and Give Soap for Hope was born. Alexandria’s endeavor has grown substantially in the past nine years. Her mom and dad, Jennifer and Grey, along with brothers Grey and Grant, helped collect at first. But thanks to donations by classmates, local businesses, her church, Randy Marion employees, and the Alexander Island community, Alexandria has partnered with the Mooresville Christian Mission and the soup kitchen to distribute thousands of items. She even took her operation to the Jamaica Deaf Village last summer while on a mission trip. “That was so empowering,” she recalls. “I couldn’t believe that something so simple as shampoo could make people so happy. It made me want to work harder and to reach more people.” Mimi’s influence wasn’t the only grandmotherly contribution to Alexandria’s endeavors. Along with the toiletries that go in the gift bags is a Bible verse. It’s not just any Bible verse, though; it’s the verse her other grandmother, Jean Mills, gave to her when she was born: Philippians 4:8, which reads, “Fill your mind with those things that are good and deserve praise. Things that are true, noble, right, pure and honorable.” Alexandria says, “Whenever I face hard times, I go to this verse for inspiration. I hope that it will encourage those who receive the bags, too.”
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28 LKN
| june 2015
By: dana nieters