Simpson & Copiah counties, Mississippi

Help a child walk into school proud.

Here at home, many parents go without so their children can have some things. Your gift stands beside them, with new shoes, a full backpack and caring adults who tell a child, “You matter.”

Donate now See what $55 can do

501(c)(3) nonprofit · Registered Mississippi charity · Secure giving with PayPal

The official registration and financial information of Wendell Walker Foundation, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State.

Life here at home

Love isn't what's missing. Resources are.

Parents in Simpson and Copiah counties love their children fiercely. But resources here are so scarce that many parents go without so their children can have some things.

It looks like a parent skipping a meal, or making last year's shoes stretch one more season. It looks like a parent going without new clothes so their child can have school supplies. Children notice, and they carry it into the classroom.

No parent should have to carry that alone. When neighbors give, a child gets new shoes and a full backpack, and hears an adult say, “You matter.”

Give monthly

Become a monthly partner, starting at $10 a month

Monthly gifts let us plan ahead and bring our work back for good. Even $10 a month helps.

Tap Give monthly to open our PayPal page.
Enter your amount and tick “Make this a monthly donation.”
Finish with PayPal or a debit or credit card.

Give monthlyOn PayPal, tick “Make this a monthly donation.”

What your gift can do

Small gifts. Real things a child can hold.

These are estimated costs from our Blossom plan for 2027. Every button opens our secure PayPal page. You’ll enter your amount on PayPal.

$20 estimated cost of a hygiene kit: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, lotion, a comb and a washcloth Donate Fills a backpack $55 estimated cost of a backpack filled with school supplies Donate $60 estimated cost of a pair of new athletic shoes and socks Donate Any amount Every gift, of any size, stands beside a family that's going without. Donate

You’ll enter your amount on PayPal. Estimated costs based on October 2026 retail prices; actual costs may vary. Your gift supports the foundation's work for children and families.

What children here need

The simple things that say “you matter”

Enough to eat

Food boxes for families, with children's families first in line when the boxes restart.

New shoes

Athletic shoes that fit, so they can play, run and feel proud.

School supplies

A backpack filled with the supplies on their school's list.

Clothes that fit

Clothes a child is proud to wear, and a warm coat when it turns cold.

Books to keep

Books of their own, and something good to read over the summer.

Caring adults

Mentors who look a child in the eye and say “you matter,” and mean it.

Why we exist

Because someone cared.

Minister Wendell R. Walker dedicated his life to mentoring children. On June 17, 1995, he lost his life in a car accident.

Out of that grief, his mother, Vivian Annette Walker, and R. J. Walker, Jr. co-founded the Wendell Walker Foundation in 1998, so his love for children would keep reaching them. They chose the theme “Reclaiming Our Youth” and the verse the foundation is built on.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”Ephesians 2:10 (KJV)

Help is for everyone. Our faith moves us to serve, and every child and family is welcome, whatever their religion, race or background. No one has to share our faith or take part in any religious activity to receive help.

Read Wendell’s story

1995Minister Wendell R. Walker loses his life in a car accident on June 17.
1998Vivian Annette Walker and R. J. Walker, Jr. co-found the foundation in his memory.
1999The first youth programs begin in the fall: tutoring, reading help and youth leadership.
2027Blossom, our planned program for children, is set for its pilot year.

Planned · pilot year 2027

Blossom: Because someone cared.

Blossom will be our program for children ages 3 to 17, helping them know their worth and grow into their potential.

Blossom Day: a back-to-school day with new shoes, backpacks, hygiene kits, a clothing closet and free haircuts by licensed stylists and barbers.
Blossom Circle: monthly mentoring for ages 8 to 17, always with at least two screened adults.
Dignity first: sizes collected privately, and children choose their own items where we can.

Donate now Explore Blossom

Our founding mission

“…to help underprivileged children obtain and sustain a sound and limitless self-image of worth, respect and accomplishment…”

From the foundation’s founding mission statement, as it appeared on our earlier website. Blossom carries that mission forward.

Where we are today

Relaunching, with your help

All of our programs are paused until donated funds and items can be gathered, collected and sorted. We miss this work. Your gift is how it comes back.

Paused · relaunching

501(c)(3) nonprofitGifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Registered Mississippi charityRegistered with the Mississippi Secretary of State, Charities Division.

Serving since 1998Founded in memory of Minister Wendell R. Walker.

Secure giving with PayPalGive with PayPal or a debit or credit card, once or monthly.

Be the someone who cared.

A gift of any size stands beside a parent who goes without, and tells a child they matter.

Donate now Give monthly