Beau's Thanksgiving Wish is Coming True

The Douglas County School System has an update on a Douglasville boy’s efforts to feed 50 families on Thanksgiving.

Patch reported last week that Beau Wilkins, 10, has started a GoFundMe page to raise $5,000 to pay for the meals. As of Friday, more than $3,300 had been raised.

The school system said Big J’s Catering in Villa Rica has offered to cook the turkeys and casseroles Beau needs to complete his mission to make a difference.

The school system submitted the following story on the Mason Creek Elementary School fifth-grader:

A child’s idea, passion and perseverance will result in 50 families enjoying a traditional Thanksgiving meal this year. Beau Wilkins, a 10 year old 5th grader at Mason Creek Elementary became concerned about homeless people and those who are not able to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Beau talked to his mother, Allison Wilkins, and decided to find a way to make a difference for needy families and individuals this holiday season.

A media campaign was launched and an on-line funding account, www.gofundme.com/helpingbeau, was established.

Beau was hosted by the Atlanta Falcons and featured in the Douglas County Sentinel recently. He has also been featured on 11 Alive with his heartfelt story and food drive. He is set to talk to most major Atlanta news outlets to share his passion for feeding hungry people.

J.T. Fuller of Big J’s Catering in Villa Rica, a friend of Beau’s Assistant Principal at Mason Creek Elementary School, Ms. Jennifer Jimmie, is donating his time and talent to work with Beau and his family to cook the donated turkeys and vegetable casseroles to help fulfill Beau’s commitment. Ms. Jimmie is also working with members of her church to deliver the food to needy families in Douglas County.

“It is wonderful to see Beau’s passion and dedication to fulfilling his dream of feeding the less fortunate,” said Ms. Kathleen French, Beau’s school principal. “It is rare to see a child of his age have such compassion to the needs of the greater community. We are certainly proud of him, his dedication and his accomplishments.”

“Beau Wilkins is a wonderful child who is a pleasure to have as a student,” said his 5th grade teacher Mrs. Arletta Lancaster. “He is rather quiet and shy, but he is persistent in his efforts. He tries really hard to do his best in all of his endeavors. I am not surprised that he has taken on such an adventure because he is a very caring child. Beau is a child who I see will make a difference in the world.”

(Photo: Courtesy of Douglas County School System)