Monthly Archives December 2012

BAINBRIDGE, GA (WALB) – While most 13-year-old boys focus on video games or girls, a young teenager from Bainbridge struggles to make a difference.

For the past 5 years, Ryan Adams has been selling hot chocolate to help families in need while on vacation. This year, its operation and its goals are bigger than ever.

Five years ago, Ryan Adams was like any other 8-year-old.

That was until he decided to sell hot chocolate.

“My friends were selling chocolate to try and make money. I decided to do it myself to make money for Christmas presents, but when I got it I realized that I had to give it to someone who really needed it. “

That year, Ryan raised $ 150 and donated it to a woman who lost everything she owned in a fire.

“I am so proud of him. His in-laws, his father, his grandparents, we are so proud of him. He is an inspiration to many because most 13 year olds are interested in video games or hunting, I know my son would rather hunt, ”said Ryan’s mother, Shaie Bowen.

Ryan’s hot chocolate sale has grown steadily since then.

Ryan says that with all the community support he has received this year, he has set a goal of $ 2,000.

“I had no idea we were going to do it this year and he stood up and said yes we were going to raise $ 2,000 this year. And I thought oh wow $ 2,000,” Bowen said.

After posting about the event online, Ryan’s mother Shaie Bowen received some unexpected news.

“Tad Kelley from Community Coffee and his wife Misty Kelly contacted me and they donated all of the hot chocolate this year so I didn’t have to shell out money for it.”

Ryan would like to use the money he raises to help as many families as he can.

“A family has a child who has been sick for a while. They go back and forth constantly in Atlanta, in the hospitals, it is a little girl. We gave them last year and we’re going to give them again this year a gas card to help with gas expenses, ”Bowen said.

And Ryan says the cold came just in time. “I was afraid it would be hot and not many people would want hot chocolate, but no, it feels like it’s colder and that helps us a lot.”

Bowen says that in addition to the donation from Community Coffee, Pepsi also agreed to donate the concession stand.

The sale begins Saturday morning at 7 a.m. in front of Golden Corral on Shotwell Street in Bainbridge.