By Sue Sprang
GLADWIN – Sometimes it takes the straightforward, no-nonsense approach of children to get things done.
There are two basic steps: (1) decide what to do and (2) do it.
No studies or surveys.
No committees or performance tests.
No red tape.
Just name it.
Then do it.
No fuss.
No muss.
That’s exactly what sisters Makayla, 10, and Sarah, 8, Wiseman, members of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Gladwin, did when they heard about the Flint Water Crisis.
Makayla Wiseman, second from right, talks with Sue Sprang (left) about the bake sale. Also in the picture are her sister, Sarah (right), and their friend, Shannon Graham.
“At school one day I heard some people talking about the bad water,” Makayla said. “I thought, ‘huh… maybe we should do something about that. Maybe we should have a bake sale and give the money to the people in Flint’.”
After school that day, Makayla told her sister about her idea. Sarah agreed and they approached their mom, Dawn, to get her take on things. Much to the sisters’ delight, their mom wholeheartedly agreed.
Within a week, the girls had recruited some of the congregation’s best bakers and placed an announcement in the bulletin. The sale was held after worship services the following weekend. Baked goods were purchased by freewill donations.
Makayla and Sarah raised $194. The money will go to Salem Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Flint. Salem has been instrumental in assisting the community with issues related to the crisis. Makayla and Sarah’s gift will go toward a new filtration system installed at the church – a place people can come to obtain clean, safe, sustainable water.
The girls make no hesitation in explaining why they chose to have the bake sale.
“The kids are sick,” Sarah said. “They need help.”
Proceeds from the bake sale went to Salem Lutheran Church, which is playing a pivotal role in the Flint Water Crisis.
“They cannot drink the water,” Makayla said. “They cannot bathe or cook.
“Jesus wants us to help others,” she continued thoughtfully, “and it’s a good thing to do during Lent. We’re supposed to go out and help others.”
Christ the King’s pastor, Emily Olsen, was pleased with the girls’ desire to serve Jesus and to help others.
“Kids like the Wiseman girls not only make us proud,” she said, “but their actions make it look like we actually know what we’re doing from time to time.”
Sarah and Makayla Wiseman (third and fourth from left, respectively) sing with some of their Christ the King friends.
What advice would the sisters give their peers?
“Kids can help out in any way they want,” Makayla said.
Sarah agreed with a smile and a nod of satisfaction.