Sixth-grader branches out to pitch in during pandemic
You wouldn’t think Addison Kainz knows much about Morse Code, but in reality, it has become a big part of her young life.
By Per Peterson
Kainz, the 12-year-old daughter of Jason and Jen Kainz of Tracy, has been busy crafting special bracelets with a Morse Code saying on them. And what started as a simple gift for her dance colleagues has turned into a money maker and fundraiser.
“The whole idea for the Morse Code bracelets started because of dance,” Addison said. “I looked through some of my favorite crafting websites for ideas and saw bracelets made with a message in Morse Code. I liked this idea because my ‘big sister’ and ‘little sister’ could wear this bracelet and only the three of us knew what the saying was.”
Addison said her “business” started after her aunt posted an “Aunticorn” bracelet she made for her, and had a couple people ask her to make them one.
“I thought I could maybe make a little money and help pay for dance nationals in Las Vegas this summer by making bracelets,” she said.
When she found out this summer’s dance nationals were cancelled, she decided to take a break from raising money just for that and turn her attention to the community.
“I wanted to help out our community in some way and decided to start raising funds for the Tracy Food Shelf,” she said. “I decided on the food shelf because I have had an opportunity to volunteer there with my 4-H group. I have been able to send one check to the food shelf so far and hope to be able to send more soon. I have a goal in my mind of what I would like to raise for the food shelf. When I reach that goal, I will continue to save for dance nationals next year!”
Addison’s business is called “Prairie Soul,” which represents where she lives. Her mother has helped her out with marketing and posted her first couple bracelets on Facebook.
“I was surprised by all the requests and orders I received,” she said.
Addison said the first couple bracelets she made took her quite a long time. She wrote out each word in a notebook and then wrote out the Morse Code dots and dashes for each letter.
See this week’s Headlight Herald for more on this article.