86-year-old raises $521K for children’s home by collecting scraps
Meet Johnny Jennings, whose life mission has finally come to fruition at 86 years of age.
Georgia resident Johnny was 18 years old when he first visited the Georgia Baptist Children’s Home. When a child ran up to Johnny begging to be adopted, it was a moment that would change the course of his life.
“When we went to leave, these three little boys grabbed me by the knees and said, ‘Will you be my daddy?’” Jennings told TODAY. “And I said I’ll do what I can. That took my heart, right there.”
For that day onwards, Johnny did everything he could do to help the home.
He wasn’t ready to adopt, he didn’t have much money, but he could find a way to raise money. So he collected paper and aluminium products and cashed them in for money.
Over the past 30 years Johnny has donated more than $400,000 (AUD$527,000) to children’s homes.
"Johnny Jennings is one of the most gracious individuals I have ever met,” Georgia Baptist Children’s Home President Dr. Kenneth Thompson told TODAY. “I have always admired his quiet, humble spirit, his commitment to helping others and most of all, his love for the children in our care.”
Every year Johnny presents a cheque to the church's annual meeting. It’s a special moment for Johnny as the kids from the children’s home are also in attendance.
Johnny has served on the church’s board for four five-year terms.
“I’ve been a trustee for 20 years,” Johnny said. “I’m just part of the family.”
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