Helping others runs in Makaylia Ray's family

Fayetteville Observer - 2/25/2018

Feb. 24--During the summer, when free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches are not available, some children go to bed hungry.

That doesn't sit right with Makaylia Ray.

So Makaylia, 17 and a junior at Gray's Creek High School, is working on a project to alleviate the problem.

For her National Honor Society project, Makaylia is organizing a "book bags of food" initiative. The effort will provide meals to needy children at about a dozen area schools.

"I don't like sitting around seeing people go hungry," Makaylia said. "I don't like seeing people go through that, especially when I have the means to help."

Helping others seems to come naturally to Makaylia. Her mother, Betty Ray, volunteers with the Duke Children's Miracle Network through Walmart, an effort Makaylia has participated in.

Makaylia's great aunt, Miyoshi Gordon-Matthews, is founder and president of United -- A Divine Purpose Inc., which supports patients and families with myositis or breast cancer.

"I think it runs in the blood," said Makaylia, who also has volunteered with the Hoke County Literacy Council.

When it came time to do her National Honor Society project, Makaylia took a look around at some of her classmates.

"I noticed how a lot of kids don't have enough to eat and they only eat lunch or breakfast at school," she said. "I was like, 'Oh gosh, I don't know what to do.' "

Makaylia said she contacted social workers at six elementary, three middle and two high schools. The social workers identified five families at each school who they thought might be in need of food this summer.

"It's all anonymous," Makaylia said. "It's up to them whether they want to meet me or not."

The food packages will consist of non-perishable items such as boxes of cereal, Pop Tarts and containers of foods like lasagna and spaghetti that can be heated in a microwave. Makaylia is going to be seeking donations of the foods from the community and from clubs at her school.

Although she is busy with her school and charity work now, Makaylia has given thought to her life after graduation.

She wants to attend college, although she is unsure whether she will enlist in the military first.

But Makaylia has settled on a career. She wants to be an audiologist.

Makaylia said her interest in audiology goes back to after her little brother Joseph, now 9, was born with hearing problems. She grew fascinated by sign language and helping her brother communicate.

Basically, Makaylia said, it goes against her nature to not help someone when she sees a need.

"I'm kind of nosy," she said with a laugh. "I'm always like, 'Are you OK?' "

___

Visit The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) at www.fayobserver.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.