A lot of North Texas schools have started food drive contests now to help low-income families for Thanksgiving. But one family in Wylie is using the power of social media to set the bar extraordinarily high.
In just over a week, 7-year-old Cash Welch has collected 2,000 cans as donations for his school’s second-annual Thanksgiving canned food drive. He attends T.F. Birmingham Elementary in the Wylie ISD.
"It’s because I like helping people in need. That’s what I like to do," Cash said, sitting on top of a mountain of cans in his dining room.
“Typically what we see is kids coming in with a bag with maybe with five or 10 cans,” said Principal Tiffany Doolan.
Last year as a first grader, Cash brought in more than 1,000 cans, donated from friends and family. This year he’s doubled that.
"Our campus goal was to get 5,000 cans, so for him to bring 2,000 cans alone is above and beyond for sure," Doolan said. "He's going above and beyond not to get any recognition, but just to give back to the community."
Cash is a dancing machine. He wears a placard with the hashtag "Cash Collects Cans" and dances outside grocery stores, hoping strangers will make a donation.
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His family’s also blowing up social media. They started using hashtags, created a GoFundMe account that has already raised nearly $400 and they've also put out YouTube videos of dancing Cash.
Strangers have rallied to the cause, donating money and dropping off canned goods.
"I thought it was a little weird that they’re helping me even though I don’t know them, but I think they like the videos, so that’s why they’re helping," he said.
His parents had to move the dining room table away to make room for all the cans, but they couldn’t be prouder.
"We’re just really thankful to God to giving us such an awesome little guy with a such a big heart," said Sheri Welch. "I really feel this is shaping his life to be a servant to others."
Tuesday is the last day for the food drive before the cans are turned over to the Wylie Christian Center for distribution.
Donations can still be made for the "Cash Collects Cans" campaign. Cans can be dropped off at any Wylie ISD school.
UPDATE:
After Cash's story aired on NBC 5, his family says he received 300 more canned goods to add to his 2,000 can collection, with the final count coming in at 2,300 cans of food.
Cash's principal says for winning the drive, he'll be recognized at an upcoming school assembly, receive a certificate and a school t-shirt. Cash will also be invited to meet Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue at a city council meeting.
NBC 5's Holley Ford contributed to this report.
