TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Boy's Seeds Take Root In The Heart

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2008

WHO: Bryce Meyer

CLAIM TO FAME: Seed salesman with charitable intentions

ACCOLADES: "We are so appreciative of the efforts Bryce made to help the heart patients here at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital," said Nora Gunn, director of Development Operations for the hospital foundation.

SOME BACKGROUND: Bryce, 10, wanted to help someone during his winter break from school. Bryce's mother, Joan, suggested selling small bags of sunflower seeds and giving the money to a charity.

Bryce kept at it all day and into the next day. His mother made cupcakes to sell along with the seeds on the second day.

Bryce ended up with $78 that he donated to St. Joseph's with the hope of helping a child with heart disease.

"I knew someone who died of a second heart transplant and I wanted to help another child if I could," Bryce said. "I feel great about being able to give the money."

Bryce attends Largo's Pinellas County Jewish Day School, where students are encouraged to do good deeds. While attending Camp Or Hashemesh one summer, Bryce met Shara Himmel, a former camp counselor who had her first transplant when she was 5.

Shara underwent a second transplant in November. She died two weeks before her 20th birthday.
Acts of kindness are nothing new to Bryce. On Nov. 18, he helped out in the soup kitchen at Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tarpon Springs. Bryce wrapped silverware in napkins and cleaned the pantry before a Thanksgiving dinner, then distributed bread during the meal.

At his mother's suggestion, Bryce also brought in his Halloween candy to pass out.

In early December, he returned to Mount Moriah to help prepare and serve another meal, and his family donated clothing in good condition.

WHAT'S NEXT: Bryce will work at the soup kitchen again in February.

PARTING QUOTE: "This is the best day of my life," Bryce told his mother during his community service effort. "I feel so good doing this."

Want to suggest an Everyday Hero? Contact reporter Diane Loebel at dloebel@tampatrib.com or (727) 815-1081.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT