Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Boon, Morrow
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/27/2021
Nine-Year-Old Makes Key Chains for a Very Special Cause (Boon - 2021)
Nine-Year-Old Makes Key Chains For a Very Special Cause
Natalie Boon (r) presents a check for $242 to Judy Morrow for the Clark County Area Food Pantry and Resource Center. Natalie, 9, raised the money though selling fabric key chains she made herself.
Submitted photo
By Valorie Brecht
Through a project she has dubbed “Sunshine Supplies,” Natalie Boon of Neillsville has shown one is never too young to use their talents to help others.
The almost 10-year-old made and sold more than 100 fabric key chains, with part of the proceeds going to the Clark County Area Food Pantry and Resource Center. She donated $242 to the food pantry.
“The food pantry was the first thing that popped into my mind [to donate to],” said Natalie.
A sewing project only made sense as Natalie has grown up learning the textile arts. She has been sewing for about five years, and her mom and grandma operate Christie Country Quilts in Neillsville. Natalie can often be found in the store after school working on her latest project.
In the last year or so, Natalie started doing her own projects. She’s made doll quilts, pillowcases and wall hangings. Some of her work was even featured in a fabric craft show at the Clark Cultural Art Center.
“When she started on the key chains, she loved it,” said Kristine, Natalie’s Mom.
Besides learning how to make something new, Natalie also learned about running her own business. She set her own budget for the key chains, figuring out how much they would cost to make and how much she wanted to donate.
“It’s a really cool thing, especially since she chose the project on her own and the amount she wanted to donate,” said Kristine.
Natalie has the key chains for sale at her mom’s shop She also ran her own booth at the downtown craft sale for Neillsville’s Autumn Harvest Celebration Oct. 9-10.
“It’s nice to see her excited about being a part of the community festival. It’s kind of funny because the craft show didn’t start until 11, but she had her booth set up and ready to go by 9,” said Kristine.
Many people stopped by Natalie’s table to buy a keychain or make a donation to the food pantry.
Natalie plans to continue making and selling keychains, and even has another charity picked out.
I’ll do the Christmas Angel Project because of Christmas. I’ll either donate money or buy toys for it,” said Natalie.
This is not Natalie’s first time reaching out to help others in need. A few year’s ago, she put together “Birthday bags “ for the food pantry, each with a boxed cake mix, frosting, candles and other items for a birthday celebration.
Kristine is proud of her daughter and her caring heart.
“It’s cool to share a hobby with your daughter. There are lots of ways that she could choose to spend her time, but it’s cool that she chooses to do this.”
Natalie Boon holds a sign proudly advertising her “Sunshine Supplies.” Handmade key chains in a variety of fabrics that she sold to raise money for the local food pantry. She plans to continue selling them at Christie Country Quilts to raise money for other local charities. Valorie Brecht/Clark County Press
