It didn’t take long after Maggie Hanberry’s diagnosis with stage IV colorectal cancer, a one in a million diagnosis, for the Hanberry Family to feel the pull to channel energy and resources into a cause that would benefit Maggie and other children in difficult circumstances. Maggie was 15 years of age when diagnosed with cancer. When 12 year old Church member Gracie Deans heard about Maggie’s diagnosis, she was moved to do more than pray. She immediately thought of her “Giving Jar” and the money she had saved to help others. The Dean’s allowance system for their children include three coffee cans labeled “give,” “save,” and “spend.” When they get their allowance for doing chores, they give 10% to the “give” can and divide the rest between “save” and “spend.” When Gracie heard Maggie had cancer, God put it on her heart to give something to help. She knew that she had $40 in her “spend” can. That Sunday she was planning to give the $40 to the Hanberry’s to help pay for Maggie’s treatment. She brought the $40 in the “give” can. After the service she and her Dad found Phil Hanberry and gave him the $40. The Hanberry’s were so touched by the sweet and generous gesture, that they decided that day that Gracie’s gift would do more than benefit Maggie. It would be multiplied and used to help other children. “It seemed most fitting to choose two beneficiaries, one nearest to each girl’s heart,” said Phil Hanberry. Gracie is no stranger to helping other kids. She once saved her own money to buy a new dress only to give it to a girl living at Homes of Hope who told her how much she liked it. Because of Gracie’s interest in Homes for Hope, this organization will be one of the beneficiaries from the Giving Grace fund. Homes of Hope of Mississippi provide homes for boys and girls who need a stable, loving environment. Maggie was undergoing treatment at the Children’s Cancer Center (3C) at Batson Children’s Hospital. The Center currently has 800 children in some phase of treatment (active or follow-up). Many are from low-income homes, while others have limited resources due to the enormous cost of fighting the particular disease afflicting them. Batson’s Children’s Hospital is the charity chosen by Maggie to benefit from the Giving Grace fund. With Gracie providing the example and Maggie providing the inspiration, the Giving Grace fund is set to provide help to children in life threatening or life altering situations.
