On Dec. 1 – also known as World AIDS day – Paiton donated $522 to the University of South Alabama’s Family Specialty Clinic, whose mission is to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care to children and their families affected by HIV. The money was raised by selling soda cans that she had been collecting in her backyard for three months.
Her mother, Linda Goodwin, said this act of kindness is just one example of Paiton’s determination to help others. “Paiton collected cans in the third grade for the same clinic, totaling $400,” Goodwin said. “She’s also collected cans for Penelope House – she really enjoys helping others.”
“I’m very proud of her,” Goodwin said of her daughter. “She’s a caring child and always has been.”
“I think she sets a great example of altruism, caring and compassion,” said. Dr. Benjamin Estrada, professor of pediatrics at USA. “We are highly appreciative of her efforts. It is because of people like Paiton that we should be optimistic about the future of our society.”
Paiton began collecting cans in September from her friends and family. “It was her idea to collect the soda cans – she would save them up in the space she had outside, and when the space got full she would go sell them,” Goodwin said.
Eventually, collecting the cans became a habit. “Paiton would see them on the side of the road and want me to pull over so she could grab them,” Goodwin said.
Paiton decided to donate the money to the Family Specialty Clinic at USA after a family friend told her about the clinic. Goodwin said the money will be used to buy Christmas presents for the clinic’s patients. “Paiton hopes her contribution will allow every child to have a very Merry Christmas.”
