Why Shreveport Residents Will Do a Good Deed on Saturday?

You probably never met Shreveport's own Maggie Lee Henson. I never did. But I really feel like I know her.

She has changed my life and changed the lives of thousands of other people through the tragedy of her death.

Maggie Lee died when she was just 12-years-old. She died after a First Baptist Church bus flipped and landed on her back on July 12th, 2009. She was in route to a youth camp with other members of her church.

Her parents wanted our community to remember just how generous and vibrant this young lady was and they started an annual event to remember her. It is called “Maggie Lee for Good Day” and it is held every year on her birthday, October 29^th to honor her memory.

Her parents, John and Jinny Henson are urging folks to do one small good deed on that day in her honor. And boy has this thing taken off. Over the past 13 years, tens of thousands of people have performed a simple act of kindness in her honor.

These small acts of kindness have spread around the world. Water wells have been dug in Africa, a home has been built in Haiti, food delivered to the poor in cities around the globe. Hundreds of non-profit groups have benefited from many of these special acts.

You will probably experience someone taking part in this event in Shreveport Bossier this weekend. I have seen people pay for another person’s grocery bill, or fast food order. I’ve seen donations made to Maggie Lee’s Closet on Olive Street. They collect all kinds of clothing and even diapers to help those in need.

This year, they are collecting new unwrapped toys to benefit the Highland Christmas Shoppe. You can drop these off Saturday at 520 Olive Street between 11 am and 1pm.

Maggie Lee, I wish I could have known you, but I do want to stop this week to say “thank you” for your generous spirit that reminds us all how important one act of kindness can be.