“The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.” – Jeff Miller, former U.S. representative

Our military heroes deserve honor. And one 14-year-old girl has spent most of her young life making sure they are never forgotten. For her most recent birthday, Michigan teen Sawyer Hendrickson wasn’t planning the traditional party. She had much bigger plans instead.

Sawyer was completing a service project at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of those who served our country. The middle-schooler is the founder of Miss Sawyer’s Kids With a Cause, a nonprofit that works to make the lives of veterans and active duty personnel better. She said she began the project in 2017 after her brother, Kylar, joined the Marine Corps and was stationed overseas during the holidays.

Sawyer Hendrickson inspects a newly printed Remember Everyone Deployed T-shirt that is sold to raise money for her nonprofit organization. Photo by Chrissy Streeter/News Advocate

Only six at the time, she listened as her brother talked about how other Marines hadn’t received mail or packages from home. “We first started sending care packages to my brother when he was away at boot camp and to other brothers and sisters in his platoon. And then once they all dispersed out to different bases around the world, we continued sending them care packages,” Sawyer said. 

From that moment on, Sawyer, along with her mother, Heather, began working to make sure no one serving our country would go without during the holidays, or any other time. So she worked to get other kids her age to help with her nonprofit.

Kids my age and people these days don’t really think about veterans and military people out there putting their lives on the line to protect our freedom and do what we do every day,” Sawyer said.

For Christmas, they send out more than 10,000 Christmas stockings to soldiers. Throughout the year, with the help of volunteers, send out more than 25,000 care packages to military bases here in the United States and overseas, as well.

Her visit to Arlington National Cemetery is part of a tradition that began for her 8th birthday. Sawyer, along with volunteers, placed 2,100 yellow roses on the 2,100 graves sites. During the Roses to Remember event, Sawyer and volunteers spend three days to complete their goal. She then lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A young Sawyer with her ‘Pay It Forward Person of the Year’ award. Photo by Fox 17

Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas Gera became the commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Manistee in July. Though he has not had the chance to meet Sawyer Hendrickson, he has certainly heard a lot about her and the organization. “I was told about her when I got here. I was like, ‘Who’s Miss Sawyer?’ I was not expecting a younger person,” Gera said.  “I think it’s a really cool endeavor she’s taken on.

Our crew has been nothing but appreciative for the recognition and the thought behind her charity work, especially with first responders and members of the military.” 

Sawyer said she understands why some people are surprised that someone her age cares so much about this. Her answer for them is simple. “I think that it’s important to continue supporting and recognizing those military members who have put their lives on the line for our country. I think it’s important to continue to show our support to our veterans. … I did this, because someone has to,” she said. Watch below to see a young Sawyer talk about the military care packages she sends out.

Sources: News Advocate | Inside Edition