When I first connected to our Zoom call, I was greeted by the unassuming yet sweetly smiling face of Ansleigh Sherlin, a 14-year-old with a heart that extends far beyond her years. Behind her hung a series of glittering, fashionable pageant dresses—each one a testament to her passion. But it’s not the dresses or pageant crowns that define Ansleigh; it’s her unwavering commitment to helping those less fortunate.
Ansleigh is the creator of Blessing Box, Ansleigh’s Cozy Closet, a small yet mighty structure that offers necessities to the homeless and those in need. Stocked with toiletries, baby products, diapers, and more, the Blessing Box provides the essentials that sometimes get overlooked at charitable organizations, focused on serving the bare necessities. When Ansleigh won an award at a pageant, she didn’t think twice about where the prize money should go—it was immediately set aside to fund the Blessing Box. “I’ve always cared very deeply and want to help people out when they are in need,” she tells me. “Not everyone has the same chances.”
It is no surprise that Ansleigh holds the title of Exquisite Royalty Miss Georgia Royal Heart, a community service designation awarded to acknowledge her generous spirit and dedication to serving others. But titles and crowns aren’t what motivate her. It’s the simple yet profound desire to make a difference in her community. Ansleigh ordered the materials for the Blessing Box, and as a family, they built it together. “My stepdad built it from the frame,” she shares, “and I painted it and designed the layout and logo with my mom.” The box is a bold, unabashed hot pink with an orange cross—a possible reminder of the Christian principle of mercy: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Located at Little Dreamer’s Academy in downtown Cornelia, the Blessing Box became an economic stopgap for those who needed it most. Then, adversity struck. I asked Ansleigh for details about what had happened to the Blessing Box. She responded with a mix of sadness and resolve. “I’m not exactly sure what happened. A friend was stocking it, and my mom got a text with a picture. The glass was shattered.” Upon arriving at the scene, they found the box vandalized—some of the back was ripped off. None of the items were stolen, suggesting that it was done out of angst or anger. “We got it repaired,” Ansleigh says, quietly determined. “First Choice Glass & Mirror donated new glass, a sturdy plexiglass.”
Despite the setback, Ansleigh’s spirit remains unbroken. “I love it, and I want to add another one, maybe on the other side of the county,” she says, with brimming optimism. She expresses gratitude for everyone in the community who has supported her mission. “It’s been a blessing,” she remarks.
The story of Ansleigh Sherlin and her Blessing Box is a reminder that while bad things happen and angry people exist, the good in the world significantly outweighs the bad. As we celebrate Ansleigh as The Cute North Georgian Magazine’s ‘Woman of the Month’, we also offer prayers for the individual who damaged the Blessing Box, hoping they find healing, and for the community that continues to rally around those in need.
Good job, Ansleigh. Good job, family. And good job, community. You make this editor proud to serve from a base of operations in Habersham County.
Note: Please consider donating to the Blessing Box, however please do not provide food as it may attract unwanted critters and spoil.
