A star spangled effort: Jackson girl raises money for cancer research with patriotic stars

• McKenna Wilson, 9, of Jackson Township, has earned nearly $2,000 painting red, white and blue stars in yards.
• The money raised will be donated to Johns Hopkins' cancer research center.
• McKenna's grandmother, Barb, who lives in Pennsylvania, is battling gallbladder cancer.

JACKSON TWP. – A simple craft enjoyed by a 9-year-old and her dad has become a chance to help those battling cancer, including her grandmother.

McKenna Wilson has raised around $2,000 painting red, white and blue stars on the yards of friends and family. The money raised will be donated to Johns Hopkins' cancer research center.

After seeing a social media video featuring a woman painting stars in her yard, Dusty Wilson thought it would be a fun craft to share with daughters McKenna and Natalie, 13.

Raising money for Johns Hopkins cancer research

A few days before the Fourth of July, Wilson and his youngest set out to decorate their Jackson Township home's yard with red, white and blue stars.

"I took a photo and sent it to a friend and they suggested why not do their yard and make some money," Dusty Wilson said. "I asked McKenna how would you feel if people paid you to star their yard."

She was on board but the pair decided they wouldn't keep their payday; instead they would donate it.

Wilson asked McKenna where they should give the money. She didn't hesitate.

McKenna's grandmother, Barb, who lives in Pennsylvania, is battling gallbladder cancer.

Johns Hopkins does extensive cancer research on many cancers, including gallbladder, Dusty Wilson said.

McKenna wants to do all she can to help her grandmother and others. She wants doctors to find a cure and her donation could help.

"I'm happy and proud," the youngster said. "It was fun."

It was fun, but her dad said it was a lot of hard work, too.

Wilson family team effort

As they completed each lawn, another family member, friend or neighbor asked the pair to star their yard.

In three days, the duo - with the help of mom Pam and Natalie - completed 37 yards - painting their last one on July 4.

Using a stencil Dusty Wilson created and armed with many cans of spray paint, they traveled from yard to yard.

"(Walmart) was running out of spray paint," Dusty Wilson joked about the many times they returned for more paint. "We even had to dumpster dive for another big piece of cardboard at the local recycling center to make another stencil after our first one ripped."

The project has been a great life lesson for his daughter, he said.

"I told her if we get $10 for doing this or $50, cool. I never guessed we would earn as much as we did," he said.

The Wilsons are still tallying the proceeds and have the potential to secure additional donations. Dusty Wilson is looking for qualifying programs that may match what they collected.

"McKenna is always very caring," her dad said. "She's very generous and I want her to grow up seeing others' generosity."

The project has been inspiring, Pam Wilson said.

"It's really amazing because in three and a half days they worked around the clock," she said. "It's inspiring and motivating. She is learning an awesome lesson that something so simple and easy can make such a big difference. She can make change as a 9-year-old."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.