We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bella Potts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bella , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
In 2019, I told my mom I wanted to help kids in my community. In 2020, Bella’s Boxes was created. And In December 2021, I gave out my very first Bella’s Box. The most meaningful project that I have worked on so far was when we adopted the little girl for Christmas and my mom and I got all the items on her Christmas list. This box was special because it was the very first Bella’s Boxes that was given out. It gave me a sensation of joy knowing that a little girl got her Christmas wish.
Bella , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Bella Potts. I am a 5th grader at Central Elementary School in Carrollton, Ga. GO LIONS! I have a very active schedule and I love it! I enjoy being a Girl Scout, playing the drums, cheering, cooking, singing and dancing. I take my Student Council class representative duties very seriously and I enjoy being a morning ambassador at my school.
When I was 7 I had an idea that I wanted to help children in my community so I shared my idea with my mom. When I was 8 years old my mom helped me get a logo for Bella’s Boxes. Finally when I turned 9 years old I was ready to give out my very first box. I am currently 1o years old and have been providing support to my community for almost a year with my monthly themed boxes. I love partnering with local businesses and organization in my hometown to help others. Some of my favorite boxes has been the the snack boxes for students at one of our local schools and the October hats and gloves boxes which I partner with the Jr Beta Club team at my school.
I believe the problem I am solving in the community is providing needed items such as food, toiletries, and warm clothing to children and their families. I am most proud of my community. The support given to Bella’s Boxes is mind blowing and I couldn’t ask for a better support team.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have one mission and one goal. That is to help children in my community. That’s the only mission I had when I started Bella’s Boxes and today it’s the same.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
One lesson that I had to unlearn when it came to Bella’s Boxes is that my way isn’t always the best. Just because it’s my name is on the logo doesn’t mean what I say goes. My mom is really smart and knows a lot and has some really good ideas as well. She also is my biggest financial supporter, so it pays to listen to her.
I used to and still sometimes struggle with being open to new and better ideas and suggestions from my mom for Bella’s Boxes. For example, when I first started picking themes for boxes there were times I wanted the boxes to be fun and exciting filled with items I liked and wanted. But I have to remember the goal is to help others and I need to theme boxes based on what is needed in the community. I am currently working on my box themes for 2023 and she has already provided to amazing feedback on my ideas. For my January boxes, I wanted to donate food to the little free pantries around Carrollton. My mom gave me a great idea of making boxes with my favorite foods. I got to give the community what they needed and I got to share items I enjoyed as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: bellasboxes.org
- Instagram: bellasboxes_by_bellapotts
- Facebook: Bella’s Boxes by Bella Potts
- Twitter: BellasBoxes_by_BellaPotts @BellasBoxes316
Image Credits
Bella’s headshot was taken by Photography by Lisa-Marie