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16 • JANUARY 2023
KIDS WHO CARE Macy Gladden Mistie Desper “I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED HELPING, EVEN WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. If I can just make one person have a better day, that makes me happy,” said Macy Gladden, 6th grader at Madison Ridgeland Academy. Macy’s heart for serving others began at an early age. Her mother, Whitney, recalled Macy always being her “little helper.” During a family trip to New Orleans, when Macy was just seven years old, she and brother Tucker were deeply impacted by the homeless crisis in the city. She remembered, “For Macy, it just hurt her little heart and she asked what they could do to help them.” Their mission began. The family, along with dad, Lee, began calling local ministries to see what they could do to begin helping others in need. Settling on We Will Go Ministries, Macy’s impressive list of selfless service projects began. Macy and Tucker turned to social media to help spread the word and the donations began pouring in. The Provision Project, a charitable organization started in 2017 by the siblings, was born. “Macy is such an unselfish person and has no fears. She is always so willing to put in the legwork and I’ve just put the wheels under her to help her flourish,” said Whitney. The list of services and acts of kindness Macy has accomplished at her young age is not only impressive but inspiring to all who know her. Each year at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and during school breaks, Macy helps God’s Haven Ministries make and distribute sack lunches to children out of school that only have access to meals from the school system. She also helps with other food based organizations, Central Pantry and Extra Table. Macy also helps with Shower Power to provide lunches and necessities to Jackson’s homeless population. She has helped collect backpacks and led a drive that provided 100 cans of insect repellent for those in need. The needs of animals have also been a top priority for Macy. She admitted, “I absolutely love animals and would love to be a vet one day.” Not only does the Gladden family foster a dog from Mississippi Therapy Animals full time, Macy also volunteers on site and hopes to become certified as a therapy animal handler for the organization. Macy’s teachers have taken notice of her many efforts over the years. Kristin Reynolds, 5th grade teacher, said, “Macy is always looking for ways to serve her community. She has such a big heart for those less fortunate that she is. She uses so much of what she has been blessed with to bless others.” She encourages her peers and friends to get involved anyway they can. At MRA, Macy is a cheerleader, on the volleyball team, as well as part of the student council. As the 6th grade representative for the student council body, she organizes fundraisers and various school events. She also has a successful YouTube channel where she posts as often as she can. “Having a student like Macy among our student body plays a huge role in setting a standard of excellence in every area. Macy is talented, gifted, and confident. She sets a great example for her peers. She has world of potential, and we can’t wait to see the Lord’s plan for her unfold before our eyes,” said Ben Haindel, middle school principal. Whitney emphasized, “We can all find success in lifting others up and we really all could be one tragedy or disaster away from needing help ourselves. Macy is an old soul who is an inspiration to so many. If we all do a little, together we can do a lot.” Macy’s current project is the adoption of three “angels” for Christmas. She said, “I really just love helping others and I hope I can somehow make a difference in someone’s life and just make their day better.” Hometown MADISON • 17
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