Kenna Reader may only be 8 ½, but she knows exactly what she wants to do: give back. A few months ago, she set up her Facebook shop, Kenna’s Kreations, to sell her paintings and crafts in order to raise money to help those in need.

Her original goal was to collect stuffed animals and coloring books for local Pediatric patients. When those plans were foiled by the onset of coronavirus (COVID-19), she had to change course. “She thought, who better than the doctors and nurses working so hard to care for everybody,” her dad, Mark, shared.

And so, earlier this week, the grade school entrepreneur with a heart of gold took her earnings and purchased 20 pizzas (a mix of cheese, pepperoni and sausage, respectively) and four salads to gift to the clinicians in the Parkview Regional Medical Center Emergency Department, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) and Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). She attached a note introducing herself, thanking them for all they do and lastly, wishing them a very happy Easter.

“Yeah, my heart does feel good,” she said to her mother, who was commenting on her live stream of the deliveries. Kenna later told us, “One person almost cried it made them so happy.” 

With plans to expand into wood-working very soon, Kenna and her “Kreations” are just getting started. She’d like to do something for an animal shelter next.

For her father, who is often involved in fundraisers himself, the gesture is hard to describe. “I can’t explain it,” he said. “When it’s your child, it’s completely different. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

When asked what she would tell others who wish to give back, Kenna said simply, “Just follow your dreams!”

While this story was too heart-warming not to share, we know a number of generous community members have inquired as to whether Parkview Health is currently seeking food and beverage donations for staff. We would recommend supporting a local charity, such as Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, to feed those in the area, instead. We appreciate your generosity and willingness to help others during this challenging time.