Face of Defense: Soldier’s Daughter Helps People in Need

By Michele Vowell

Fort Campbell Courier

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky., Dec. 4, 2014 – For Lilly Bradley, the thought of children not having presents to open on Christmas morning was a sad reality that she wanted to change for at least a few youngsters.

The 6-year-old daughter of Erin and Army Spc. Adam Bradley gave 100 underprivileged children across the globe a gift to open Dec. 25. Her father is assigned to 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division here.

The gifts were 100 red and green shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and candy through Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a charity coordinated through Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.

“One hundred glue sticks, 100 pencils, 100 of everything,” Lilly said, smiling, as she described some of the contents contained in the shoeboxes.

Lemonade Stand Becomes Charitable Project

The charitable project started out as a simple lemonade stand in front of Lilly’s Fort Campbell home in June, her mother, Erin Bradley, said.

“I told them they needed to make a goal for how much they wanted to make,” Lilly’s mother said. “Their goal would depend on what they wanted the money for. Did she want to save up and buy something or did she want to donate it to charity?”

Afterward, Erin Bradley gave her daughter a few examples of charities. Lilly chose Operation Christmas Child.

“I think her biggest thing was thinking about kids not having presents on Christmas,” Lilly’s mother said. “She had mentioned that once -- that it would be really sad to wake up on Christmas and not have any presents.”

With her charitable goal in mind, Lilly -- with help from her younger sisters, Layla, 4, and Audriana, 2 -- made gallons of lemonade and sold cookies at about 20 lemonade stands throughout the summer. Erin Bradley said the trio raised about $350 for their efforts.

Bake Sale, Local Donations Help Fund Project

The Bradleys established a Go Fund Me account, where Lilly received several donations from family and friends. They held a bake sale at their church, Trenton Assembly of God, as well.

Through the account and bake sale, Lilly raised about $825 -- the bulk of which was used for shipping charges. Each box ships for $7.

Additionally, a few local businesses donated some of the contents, like toothbrushes.

“She wanted to add a toothbrush and toothpaste to every one so that children could brush their teeth,” Erin Bradley said. “She loves to brush her teeth.”

With her mother’s savvy shopping advice, Lilly was able to make every dollar count when buying the supplies for the boxes.

“I taught her how to spend the money that she made,” Erin Bradley said. “We got a lot of the school supplies when they were on sale.”

Gift Boxes Packing Party

After purchasing the supplies, Lilly had a packing party with her friends to fill each box with a variety of items appropriate for girls and boys, mostly ages 2 to 4 and 5 to 9, as designated by the charity.

“Baby dolls and books and toothbrushes and soap and washcloths and highlighters and pens, coloring pages and that’s all,” Lilly said, listing some more contents of the boxes. In addition to the gifts, Lilly included a photo of herself and a letter -- typed by her mom -- to each shoebox recipient.

“I had so much fun making your box of presents for you, I really hope that you like them!” the letter said.

The Bradleys delivered the 100 shoeboxes to Liberty Chapel here Nov. 18. The chapel staff will send the boxes forward to Samaritan’s Purse distributors.

“What she did was so remarkable,” said Army Chaplain (Col.) Terry Austin, the garrison chaplain. “It was a sustained effort ever since June to do lemonade stands and organize a task force to get all the stuff together and packed and ready for shipment. She did 18-year-old work at 6 years old. [She] inspired me and I hope that it inspires others to do more for others who are underprivileged.”

In addition to helping others, Erin Bradley said she hopes that this project taught Lilly some valuable lessons that she’ll use the rest of her life.

“Originally there was no intent other than just having a fun lemonade stand, but she ended up getting lessons on having a business, running it and how to buy your supplies from your profits. She learned how to spend money and count money,” Lilly’s mother said. “She also learned a lot about hospitality and giving and community. I hope that she … just know[s] that she did make a difference for other kids.”