Today we’d like to introduce you to Tradd Hodge.
Hi Tradd, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was 5, I told my mom I wanted to create a holiday to help children in hospitals. I made this goal happen that year with her support and generous donors. Our very first recipient was Shriners Children’s Hospital. Tradd’s Giving Day is now in its 7th year. Each year, Tradd’s Giving Day has grown so we can help numerous children’s organizations in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and surrounding cities in SC. We have helped organizations in Charleston, SC, and Brevard, NC. This year, I created The Giver Foundation, an extension of Tradd’s Giving Day to be now a 501 (c)(3) under the Spartanburg County Foundation. We are excited for this year’s Giving Day, a “giving month” now!
We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The year(s) of Covid were the most challenging years of Tradd’s Giving Day. Certain items weren’t allowed in hospitals, and no one was allowed inside. Every person was going through difficult times, including my family, because my Grandmother passed away. It was a challenging year, but the donations stayed strong. We still had a successful year. In 2020 and again in 2021, despite the pandemic. In those years, more of our donations were monetary than material for pandemic reasons. Another struggle I consider a “good struggle” is not having enough room in our home to store all of the generous donations until the time to deliver them!!
Other than the Covid years, the Giving Day has been a smooth road and more successful than I ever imagined. The support of others is the reason, and the “Givers” make it all possible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I am in 6th grade and 12 years old. I play basketball and lacrosse now and enjoy tennis, golf, and soccer. I study hard and make all A’s in school. I enjoy photography, drawing, hanging out with friends, and traveling. I am most proud of accomplishing the goal of helping others and establishing The Giver Foundation. I don’t like to answer this question, so I defer to my mom. What may set me apart from others, she says, is that I have a solid inner drive with everything I do, that I am humble and don’t need recognition because what I do is straight from the heart. She also says that I am level-headed, smart, and listen to others, which makes me successful! I have won “Caring for the Carolinas” in our community and have also been chosen for “Students Making a Difference” in the Upstate Parent Publication and interviewed on many news outlets. A goal of mine is to make it to The Today Show to expand our contributors, but I am grateful for what we are currently doing! I also recently received a grant from a local church to help with our cause. While I appreciate the highlights and awards because they bring positive attention to our cause, the best award is when I give a child a donation in person and see their face light up with gratitude, joy, and excitement!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Positivity, a caring heart, and a strong will are all characteristics that were, and still are, very important to my success. Showing my contributors that their donations are organized and have truly helped children has been important to Tradd’s Giving Day. I have heard from others many times that this is their favorite charity to donate to because of the simplicity and pureness of the mission. While Tradd’s Giving Day is growing, I want to keep that simple, pure foundation of a child donating to children. It is important to be true to your original mission. I want contributors always to feel good about contributing to The Giver Foundation and to know that we all make a powerful impact on the lives of children.
Pricing:
Contact Info:
- Website: coming soon
- Instagram: @traddsgivingday
- Facebook: coming soon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@traddsgivingday8729
- Other: https://spcf.org/give/online/
