Mari Copeny, aka Little Miss Flint, first made headlines in 2016 when her letter to then-President Barack Obama about the water crisis in her hometown spurred him to visit the city of Flint and view the water crisis for himself.
After visiting Flint, Michigan, Obama approved a whopping $100 million in relief for the city.
In 2022, Mari continues her activism in her hometown. Every year, she helps to provide backpacks and school supplies to Michigan students.
The water crisis began after Flint officials diverted the city’s drinking water supply from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to the Flint River as a bid to cut costs. At the time of the crisis, 57% of residents were Black and 42% of residents lived below the poverty line.
This month, the young activist has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help raise funds for all of her annual events.
“Every year I organize several events centered around the kids in my community, including an Easter egg hunt/Easter basket giveaway, a back-to-school drive with fully stuffed backpacks, a gigantic Christmas event with tons of toys and Christmas goodies,” Mari writes in the description. “I also do several book drives through the year, and whenever there is a need in the school or in the community.”
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