The Fort Scott Adventist church in Kansas is a small church of just 25 members. Yet a big dream took root in the heart of one little boy—and transformed an entire community.
Each year, Shelly Bradley’s Sabbath School class would flip through ADRA’s Gift Catalog, choosing a project to fund by Christmas. From chickens to garden kits, the children always picked something close to their hearts. But for several years, one boy—Shelly’s own son, Eli—kept choosing the same item: “Drill a well for a community”—a $10,000 gift.
“I told him to pick something else,” Shelly admitted. “We usually raised around $400–$600. That just seemed impossible.”
But in January 2024, when Eli insisted again, Shelly asked why.
“Water is the most important thing you could give someone,” Eli answered.
That was the moment the class embraced the impossible. What followed was a whirlwind of fundraisers, crafts, community support, and faith-driven generosity.
Fundraisers Fueled by Faith
Valentine’s Day Cards kicked off their efforts, followed by sweet corn sales grown by Shelly’s brother.
Painted pumpkins et repurposed wedding decor became autumn treasures.
Air-dry clay snails and turtles, each uniquely named by the kids, charmed buyers across the community.
Beaded pens—over 200 sold—became a favorite item.
Snow shoveling by Eli and Luke Bradley added heartfelt earnings to the cause.
Fall gift boxes, keychains made of cowhide hearts, and custom hand towels sewn by the kids rounded out a creative year of giving.
Through every handmade item, every corn husk, and every flake of snow, the children’s message was clear: Everyone deserves clean water.
“We learned that we all have different talents,” Shelly said. “Garren was amazing at snails. Gabe, at turtles. Eli and Luke helped sew. Each child brought something special.”
Even the salon where Shelly works became a marketplace for hope, as clients eagerly bought items—sometimes before they could be posted online.
By the following spring, the unimaginable happened: They reached their $10,000 goal.
A Well for a Community—And for the Soul
The children didn’t just raise money. They raised awareness, joy, and community spirit. In a world where it’s easy to focus on self, this small Sabbath School class showed what happens when we focus on others.
“Our class might not look like most,” Shelly says, “but we learn about God’s love together, work together, and give together.”
Their success proves that even in the smallest places, God can do big things—especially through the heart of a child.
