RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS; JACKSON SIXTH-GRADER BELIEVES IN THE LITTLE THINGS

Like most 12 year olds, Majhon Phillips of Jackson decided to have a birthday party with some of her friends. But here's where the party took an unusual twist.

Instead of bringing gifts, the sixth-grader asked her friends to bring items that could be used by other girls their age in need.

The items were donated to the Jackson R-2 Children's Fund, which provides clothing, food, medical services, dental and school supplies for needy families in the R-2 school district.

Majhon's motive is simple: "I like to help people."

She is the the daughter of Allen and Aleda Phillips of Jackson.

Pam Harper, a school nurse who directs the fund in Jackson, was touched by Majhon's kindness. She nominated her for the JCPenney Golden Rule award.

"This young lady exemplifies the true spirit of sharing and concern that is seen by young people of her character," said Harper in her nomination. "She truly shared of her personal time and unselfishly gave up her own gifts for those less fortunate."

This is just one of dozens of stories her friends and family could tell of Majhon. She babysits without charge for friends or family so they can go out on special occasions. She often donates her money in little envelopes that come in the mail to benefit paralyzed veterans and Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family organization. The money she donates to charity comes from grandparents or rewards for good grades, says her mom.

She has been active in raising funds for the Diabetes Association, a cause near and dear to her heart. Her dad was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago.

She and Justin Gibbs co-chaired Missouri's first Diabetes Youth Walk, held recently at Cape County Park North. Students raised an amazing $5,000 from the Jackson Middle School alone. The eighth and ninth graders in Jackson raised an additional $3,200.

But Majhon has also seen the effects of juvenile diabetes. In the Jackson schools, the older children are often paired with a young buddy. Majhon's first-grade pal was afflicted with diabetes and often couldn't enjoy the treats that other children took for granted at school parties. She asked her mom to prepare some sugar-free treats so the child wouldn't feel left out.

Majhon also collected 1,500 signatures toward a goal of making the trip with the Diabetes Association to Washington D.C. She donated 700 of her signatures to another woman striken with diabetes who really wanted to make the trip, but fell short in her collections.

When she grows up, Majhon would like to be an entertainer or musician. She loves to play the piano and hopes to play percussion in the band next year.

For Majhon, life isn't centered around material things. "I have everything in the world I can dream of," she said. The 12-year-old knows there many more people less fortunate than she. She also credits her strong Christian faith with her eagerness to help others.

She has also learned such kindnesses from her parents, who participate in charitable work in the community.

Majhon sees kindness as a big circle. "If you're nice, other people are too."

Oh! It's Just the Little Things

By Majhon Phillips

Oh! It's just the little things,

The unimportant little things,

The Gee it didn't matter things,

That take me through the night.

The forget about it little things

The I'll see you tomorrow things

The I'll help you with the project things,

That make you feel so right!

The done and not forgotten things,

The sharing of the happy things

The caring of the sadness things,

That makes my world so light!

The Oh! It's really fun things,

The friendly go lucky things.

The I can leave the light on things.

That makes my world so bright!