A little giver

Avery Lanning is a typical third grader who loves the color lime green, puppies and horses “a little bit.”

But unlike other 8-year olds, Avery began a fundraising campaign — making and selling bracelets — for Children’s House, a center dedicated to helping some of the youngest victims of child abuse recover

“I love helping other people,” Avery said.

Part of the Economic Opportunity Agency Inc., Children’s House in Springdale is able to serve about 72 children age 6 weeks to 5 years from Benton, Washington, Carroll and Sebastian counties at a time. Services include therapy, education and childhood development.

EOA Director of Development Julie Olsen said Children’s House is a place where children come to heal from child abuse and neglect. The long-term facility is located at the Pat Walker Center for Children, and children get services typically 1 ½ to 2 years, she said.

“These services are desperately needed,” Olsen said.

Avery is among the youngest to raise money for the Children’s House in its 34-year history, Olsen said.

When Avery saw a TV commercial promoting volunteerism around Christmas, she decided to do something. Then, her mother, Amber Lanning, held a party and asked guests for donations for Children’s House. Seeing Amber fundraise made Avery want to as well.

Avery got beads and “stretchy” material and started making one-of-a-kind bracelets to sell for 50 cents in January. The project took off. Neighbors bought bracelets and told others. Amber posted about the bracelets on Facebook. Orders came from as far away as Arizona and Kansas City.

Since January, Avery has sold about 80 bracelets and made about $90 for Children’s House. She turned in about $85 to Children’s House in February.

“We won’t stop,” Amber Lanning said. “She’s going to keep doing it.”

Although Children’s House receives some funding from United Way of Northwest Arkansas and the federal and state governments, most money comes from donations from churches, companies and individuals, like the Lannings.

“Nearly 65% of our annual budget is supported by private contributions from individuals, church and civic groups, businesses and foundations,” Olsen said in email.

Fundraisers like Avery’s are “vital” to keeping Children’s House going, Olsen said. And the money goes to the children. About 98 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to services, meals or other needed items for children, Olsen said.

Avery said she wants her friends and others to do what she is — create a way to donate to a place like Children’s House. It feels good to help other children, she said.

“I feel very proud of helping them and supporting them,” Avery said.