Little Elephants—Big Difference

“No matter how old you are, you can still find ways to help.” That insight belonged to eight-year-old Cee Cee Creech. She raised more than $3,400 in pledges for tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri, by knitting twelve hand-size elephants during the summer of 2011. In the process, many others also learned that little elephants could make a big difference.

When the family first learned of the devastation in Joplin, Cee Cee’s father, Chad, and big brother, Kai, had just returned from a disaster relief trip, helping flood victims in western Kentucky. Active, talented, and resourceful, Cee Cee saw a need and wanted to help as well: “I heard about the tornado, and I just thought those kids would really need something to give them hope.” She wanted them to know “they’re not forgotten.” So she begged her mother, Belinda, to help her find a way. A knitter since age four, she knew her mother made elephants as gifts for church mission trips. Seeing a possibility, she declared, “I could knit elephants to send the children.”

Massive Misfortune—Complete Commitment

Belinda realized Joplin residents needed much more, so she wondered about an elephant-a-thon.  At the same time, she knew Cee Cee would eventually tire. They discussed the idea at length to be certain Cee Cee would stick with her project. Already committed to Vacation Bible School and the local university’s Kids College, she would have to juggle a full schedule. Yet Cee Cee’s resolve never wavered.

A friend suggested establishing a social-networking website, since Belinda already had numerous friends following an elephant she knitted three years earlier. It had toured the world by way of Belinda’s internet knitting group. Along the way, “Cake the Elephant” gained an abundance of pictures and souvenirs. As Belinda said, “God had already laid the groundwork.”

So, Elephants Remember Joplin was born. Anyone could sponsor a single elephant or the entire herd. Donors sent their money directly to the Red Cross, freeing the family from handling any funds.

Contributions trickled in at first, with family the primary responders. They “thought $200 would be really cool for a little kid.” By elephant number nine, the knitting became tiresome, but internet feedback kept Cee Cee going. Her initial supporters began spreading the word, with Joplin residents eventually hearing. Excitement built as Cee Cee and her family learned those she hoped to help were checking her site. Chad and Belinda took pictures so followers could see her progress. They could hardly believe it when a reporter from their hometown paper said he first heard her story from someone in New Zealand! Thinking back on the great response, Cee Cee said, “I was awfully surprised.”

Two major companies sent yarn for Cee Cee and put her on their company’s internet page. A few people pledged $1 per elephant. One woman had no money but said she would donate an hour of her time for charity. “That’s what it’s all about,” said Belinda, “everybody finding their own thing.”

The family prayed for every elephant and its recipient. As she knitted, Cee Cee would say, “I wonder who will get this elephant?”

Little Hands—Big Helpers Meets Little Elephants

A Springfield, Missouri organization, Little Hands Big Helpers: Empowering Kids to Make a Difference, learned of Cee Cee’s story and decided she needed to deliver her elephants personally. They paid for the family’s lodging and meals while in Joplin. Members of their church covered gas and miscellaneous expenses.

Before the family left, however, a local pastor wanted to bless Cee Cee’s elephants. The family spoke, the church prayed and gave a love offering, and the pastor held his first official Blessing of the Elephants. Inspired by Cee Cee’s dedication, a few church ladies knitted 75 elephants for a mission in Thailand.

Not all of Cee Cee’s elephants went to children. With no set agenda, they distributed them as they saw a need. When one man received his, he held it to his chest and cried. Living in a tent at that time, he told the family he had accepted Christ as Savior the week before the tornado. Chad returned later to give him one of the Bibles sent by their church.

Simple Start—Rousing Response to Little Elephants

The family thought once they delivered Cee Cee’s twelve elephants, the project would end. Yet, Cee Cee’s story continued to unfold. She knitted with her eyes open and her ears attuned to needs that arose around the world. By continuing Cee Cee’s work, they knew people would be more likely to remember the ongoing needs of people affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Cee Cee‘s story made its way to her local newspaper, a statewide magazine, and a television station in her home state of Kentucky, plus other state and international media. Joplin’s assistant city manager presented Extreme Home Makeover’s Ty Pennington with one of Cee Cee’s elephants. Each of the seven families gaining new homes also received an elephant.

Yet Cee Cee appeared unfazed by all the hoopla. She was too busy with school work, church activities, and time with her friends and kittens.

Small Stuff—Great God

Such a pattern of service and giving doesn’t happen overnight. Whether local church work, disaster relief ministry, prayer ministry, or other assistance, the entire family’s lifestyle embraces helping others. When people say Chad and Belinda “must be so proud,” they’ve tried to emphasize that “it’s not about you.” They want to keep the focus on God and service to Him.

Life has taught them “you can’t outgive God.”  With modest desires, they believe “God will take care of your stuff.” Material goods take a back seat to relationships. As Belinda, said, “I want this to be normal.” She also shared what a blessing they’ve received “to see people wake up” to their own possibilities—to understand that the true measure of happiness does not lie in possessions.

They watched in amazement as Cee Cee’s adventure multiplied. A family friend and fellow church member gave Cee Cee the catch phrase, “Sometimes a little elephant can make a big difference.”

So can little girls.