Popcorn with a Purpose
Girl’s sales are gift to children’s hospital
Growing up and helping her grandparents at the Farmer’s Market, Brylee now has her own set up selling popcorn, raising money to help other children.
Beginning at a very young age, Brylee Scharrer has been a sweet familiar face at the Warren Farmer’s Market.
Growing up and helping her grandparents at the Farmer’s Market, Brylee now has her own set up selling popcorn, raising money to help other children.
Beginning at a very young age, Brylee Scharrer has been a sweet familiar face at the Warren Farmer’s Market.
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Since the age of two, Brylee Scharrer has been accompanying her grandparents to the Farmer's Market each Saturday.
Last year at the age of 8, Brylee asked Santa for a popcorn machine so that she could sell popcorn this year. If you have gone to the Farmer's Market during the past two weeks, you probably saw her all set up and ready to serve.
When asked why she wanted to sell popcorn she said, "Because people wouldn’t let me sell other items without a food license."
Perhaps the bigger question is why she is selling popcorn in the first place?
Dedicated to her purpose, she shared that she wants to be able to give gifts to children in the hospital.
"l want to make money and help people at the children’s hospital, like St. Judes," Brylee said. "I would like to be able to take the toys there in person to give them to the kids.”
Brylee knew when she asked Santa for the popcorn machine what she wanted to do with it. Her mother Carly was impressed when she later found that out and was ready to assist her daughter with the cause. She and her late husband, Brian raised their daughter to always think of others and give when able. From waiting for everything to come together such as product and setup to handling the money and saving it, this also presents an opportunity for Brylee to learn lessons in entrepreneurship and perseverance. Not many children can earn cash and save it. The first two weeks at the Farmer's Market she was able to raise $109 each Saturday. She will be set up again this Saturday for her third week in a row, next to her grandparents' produce stand.
Through the experience so far, Carly said that she and Brylee have learned how, "We should be thankful that we are healthy enough to work hard and give to those that are not," echoing the quote made by Marlo Thomas, National outreach director for St.Jude's Children Research Hospital.
Brylee's generous spirit is nothing new. Her mother recalled a day when Brylee set up a lemonade stand at home. Sales were slow, but instead of packing up, she stayed out of pure determination--even walking over to give a free, refreshing drink to a worker mowing the lawn at the local fire department.
When asked why people should buy the popcorn, Brylee's response was, “To help children in need. Also we have different flavors to choose from that you can add yourself."