Youngster and her 'prince' tops with ACS

BRANNON RUSSELL Brannon Russell met her "Prince Charming" when she was only three years old and together they have raised more than $20,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Well, actually, she's now with her second Prince Charming, but more on that later.

During a recent regional Relay for Life awards ceremony in Lufkin, the 7-year-old was awarded for her altruism with a trophy and certificate for being the #1 fundraising individual. She and her prince were honored for raising $15,926 during the past year.

It all started with a Grandparents Day at Kilgore College Preschool.

"Everyone had a granddaddy but she didn't have one," explained her mother, Jennifer Russell.

It was easy enough to explain her paternal grandfather's death in an auto accident, but a little trickier to tell a toddler her other grandfather, Arlie Brannon, had died of colon cancer nine years before she was born.

"She asked if that was the reason I was in (the American Cancer Society) Relay for Life and I said, 'Yes,'" Russell said. "I took her to a Relay meeting and they gave her a piggy bank. Then someone gave her $20 and she said, 'Now I'm an official fundraiser!'"

That first year Brannon raised $600 and the next year she and her piggy bank, now known as "Prince Charming," doubled the money to $1,200. When wshe was five, she raised $2,000. That was the year she hit upon the idea to walk around during four-wheeler riding events and ask for donations.

The next year, she turned in $1,500, but that amount would have been greater had someone not stolen Prince Charming from his seat atop a four-wheeler at a ride. Instead of giving up, Brannon acquired a new Prince Charming and they have never looked back.

During the past year, Brannon and Prince Charming upped their efforts considerably and raised a whopping $15,925. Brannon formed her own four-wheeler event in March 2007, the Brannon Russell Tumor Terminating Mud Blast at Bad Rabbit (formerly Rabbit Creek) in Kilgore. The weekend-long ride included plenty of fun and games, family events and raffles. She raised $2,600.

During two more four-wheeler events, the Gator Run in Easton and the Texas Mud Jams in Nacogdoches, the then-first grader raised around $5,000 at each.

"The rest she raised by asking for donations from the public, the police station, the fire department and local businesses," her mom explained.

Mother and daughter reckon Brannon has filled and emptied her Prince Charming piggy bank(s) "about 18,000 times."

Her mother laughingly explained that the first time she filled her bank, she wasn't sure Brannon would give the money up. "But she was more worried they wouldn't give her pig back so she could raise more money the next day!"

Brannon said she doesn't care if she places first in any old contest — she just loves to raise money for the ACS so it can be given away to help others.

"It doesn't go in my pocket," Brannon explained. "The money goes to research, education and to help patients who are sick and can't make it to the doctor."

Her mom explains the ACS, among its many services, helps patients by supplying gasoline cards or transportation if they can't afford to get where they need to be for their treatments.

No amount of cash is too small and Brannon truly appreciates every cent. Literally. When someone at one of the four-wheeler events apologized and said all they had was a penny, Brannon happily replied, "That's okay, a penny goes a long way!"

It's a lesson not learned by many youngsters these days.

Her mother adds that raising money for the ACS has taught her daughter another valuable lesson: "This makes her realize little people can do big things!"

Brannon is so serious about raising money to conquer a deadly disease, the second grader long ago gave up asking for birthday presents and instead asks for cash — to give to the American Cancer Society.

"She's been doing that since she was three," her mom added.

Editor's Note: Brannon invites any and all in the Kilgore area who are remotely interested to join her for the ACS Kilgore Relay For Life kick-off meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Bolding Barn on Danville Road. Team captains from last year, other individuals interested in forming teams or anyone seeking more information are encouraged to contact Jackie Fout at 903-984- 6986 or e-mail her at j.fout@yahoo. com.