At St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, three individuals stand out among the dullness of the starched white walls and the clicking of pens scratching on patient charts. Chloe Shinneman, her mother, Tricia Shinneman, and the assistant principal of Walden Lake Elementary, Lisa Hendrix walk down the halls Tuesday, July 7.
They are not sick. They are dropping off toys, games, clothing and dolls for children as part of the Daisy Project.
Chloe, an elementary student, was inspired to start her charity after a sleepover with her friend, Natalie Harrell, two years ago. Natalie was diagnosed with brain cancer at only eight years old. Chloe decided she was going to do something to help children like Natalie.
Jack Falter, another of Chloe’s friends, is in recovery from a brain tumor. She wanted to specifically donate toys for him at this drop-off.
“It just makes me happy,” Chloe said.
Chloe named her charity after the game “he loves me, he loves me not,” affirming that children will still be loved even if their hair falls out like petals on a flower. The name stuck.
As support and acknowledgment of the Daisy Project has continued to grow, so has its accomplishments. The charity is soon to gain non-profit status, a title that allows corporations and business to contribute along with individuals.
“We already have a few big name businesses in line to contribute,” Tricia Shinneman said.
But this year, the Daisy Project grabbed the attention of District 6 assistant principals.
Every year the committee comes up with a couple charity projects to support. Lisa Hendrix, the assistant principal at Chloe’s school, was more than ready to suggest her student’s mission.
Thanks to the assistant principals’ donations, the Daisy Project has gathered 120 items to give to the children at St. Joseph’s.
Hendrix was not only familiar with the project because she worked at Walden Lake elementary; she attends church with the Shinnemans at First Baptist of Plant City.
“What really inspired me was that Chloe, as a child, was reaching out to other children,” Hendrix said. “It’s one less thing to worry about for the parents.”
In preparation for the charity’s soon to be non-profit status, Tricia Shinneman has even had a logo created. It is the outline of a daisy.
“The logo sticker will be on all of our items, so the kids can see where they are getting these things from,” Tricia Shinneman said.
Chloe has received much support and admiration from the Plant City community. She was announced a winner of the Kids are Heroes competition, a program hosted by Baycare Health System and the St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital that identifies young individuals who display notable compassion and bravery.
Though Chloe’s age is still in the single digits, she remains confident that her work will carry on for years.
“We plan to continue it through high school and so on,” Tricia Shinneman said.