ELLERBE — For 9-year-old Tatum Rhyne, the phrase “It’s better to give than to receive” is a way of life.
Since she was 6, Tatum has been using her birthday to collect money and donated goods for others.
This year, the soon-to-be-10-year-old has two projects: raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and collecting toys for patients of North Carolina Children’s Hospital.
“I wanted to help kids who have cancer,” she said Thursday afternoon.
Her mother, Jennifer Rhyne, said Tatum wants to do something different every year.
Rhyne said they were talking about different types of cancer and the ribbons that signify each disease when they came to pediatric cancer, “and she said, ‘That’s what I’m gonna do.’”
Once collected, the toys will be going to Lorie Stewart of Norman, whose child Taylor was a patient at the state hospital and died from leukemia, Rhyne said.
So far, the Women’s Missionary Union of Fellowship Baptist Church has donated six large bags full of toys for Tatum’s cause.
When asked how many she hoped to get, Tatum said, “1,000 bags,” then smiled, adding, “or at least 50.”
As for the St. Jude donations, Rhyne said those wishing to contribute can go to the hospital’s website and make a donation in her honor. She added the website gives an option of sending Tatum a card to let her know about the contribution. The address to send a card is P.O. Box 383, Ellerbe, NC 28338.
The same church group also donated $75 to the Tennessee-based hospital. Tatum threw in an additional $3 she won in a jelly bean flavor challenge.
The fundraising for the toys will wrap up at her 10th birthday party on Aug. 29 — her actual birthday is two days later — and the St. Jude donations are ongoing.
“I don’t know why Tatum started like she did,” Rhyne said. “We have two other kids in the house and none of them would give up their birthdays.”
This will be Tatum’s fifth year of giving back.
When she turned 6, she donated to the food bank. The following year, she collected clothes and blankets for the homeless shelter.
Tatum garnered quite a bit of media attention two years ago when she raised $13,700 for Habitat for Humanity.
Last year, she helped Hamlet’s Drew Carpenter in his Toys for Tots drive by collecting several boxes of toys. She plans to help him sell hot chocolate again this year, saying her favorite part is eating marshmallows.
“Tatum has always loved helping people,” her mother said. “Whatever the reason, whatever the problem is, she’s an encourager.”
Last month, her efforts were recognized by Richmond County native and New Orleans Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who presented her with the “Little Angel” award at the end of his fourth annual football camp at Richmond Senior High School.
“Him calling her up there was overwhelming and exciting,” Rhyne said.
Tatum agreed.
“It was the best day ever,” she said. “I’ve always wished to see a football player in person.”
Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler.
