Giving To A Good Cause

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- Community involvement, giving back, and making a difference is what the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation takes pride in.

On Sunday, a ceremony was held as the  foundation gave away over four thousand dollars in grant money to 17 hand-picked non profit organizations in North Mississippi.

“We’re a group of 11th and 12th graders from Northeast Mississippi who want to help their counties and communities,” said chairperson Madison Mitchell.

One person on the receiving end of those donations was Bryson Burks, founder of Kidney head.

“Kidney head is something I’ve done, not only to just help children on dialysis and their families, but also to help my dad’s memory still live,” said Burks

Burks said when he was just 10 years old his father passed away due to battling kidney problems.

“My father was actually diagnosed with ultra rare genetic blood disease, it only attacks about two out of a million people and it’s called aHUS,” he said.

After seeing from first hand experience what kidney disease can do, Burks created his organization to help make things a little easier for those who have been affected by kidney disease, as well as their families.

“They don’t get to go to school, play sports, and have outlets to escape like I do everyday,” said Burks.

And now that he’s received this grant money, Burks said he already knows how he wants to use it.

“I would like to buy children on dialysis laptops and tablets, but I would also like to help their families with grocery money and travel expenses,” he said.

Members of the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation said they are thrilled, knowing they’re doing a great thing.

“There are not words to describe how they feel, and how we feel about giving them the money,” said Mitchell.

And Burks said he is thrilled, knowing he’s keeping his father’s legacy alive.

“Although he is not here physically, I can still have the thought of him, and let other children and other people know that they’re not alone,” he said.

If anyone would like to make donations to the Kidney Head, visit www.kidneyhead.org.

And if anyone would like to make donations to the Northeast Mississippi Youth Foundation, visit www.createfoundation.com