Elise Marx and her used golf ball stand
Seven-year-old North Chattanooga animal lover Elise Marx spent eight months collecting used golf balls, and sold them to golfers over the Thanksgiving holiday. As a result, she raised hundreds of dollars for local animal shelters.
After Elise gathered a couple of hundred golf balls, she was forced to think about what she was going to do with all of those balls.
Her grandfather, Mike Mallen, said, "We talked about it and looked on the Internet to see what used golf balls sell for.
Then we gave thought to setting up a stand near the golf course right by the cart path. Elise designed and typed the charity signs and created a sales kiosk.
"I was not only delighted to watch her manage her little sales operation, but it was also very delightful to see how kind and generous the golfers were as they passed her little pop-up shop. Almost every golfer bought balls and some even donated extra money for animal rescue efforts."
Next week, Elise will be bringing all of the proceeds to McKamey Animal Shelter. She plans on collecting balls through the fall and early spring so that she can do this again late next spring and bring the proceeds to the Humane Society.
Elise is a second grade student at Bright School but is currently homeschooling because of the COVID situation.
Elise loves playing outside, flying kites, riding her scooter, helping her mom cook delicious meals, helping her dad, Matt Marx, with outdoor projects and caring for animals. She has a joyful dog named “Elvis“.
Her grandfather says, "Elise has a very kind and joyful heart for public service. She has been walking the yards along the golf course near our house for the last nine months searching for golf balls. Every day has been like an Easter egg hunt. It has been a great outdoor activity during this challenging time."