'Amelia sprinkle': Mom gives back after losing daughter in Madera County crash
Nov 25, 2024
MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - It's been over six months since a family in Madera County lost their 11-year-old daughter, Amelia Marsh, in a car crash on Highway 41 near Coarsegold.
It happened on May 4, and Andrea, Amelia's mom, spent days in the hospital. Her young children got separated from her at Valley Children's. Her daughter, Amelia, did not survive.
The loss hit the entire family.
"My suffering of losing her was so hard. It's so hard still. And I've had to fight for my faith in it. And the only way like I'm getting through it is because I just lean on God 100%," Andrea said.
But through her grief, she knew she wanted to do something positive and honor Amelia by giving back.
"I always thought, like she sprinkled herself on people and it always made them so happy. And it just, like, came into my head, like Amelia Sprinkles - an Amelia Sprinkle gift," she said.
She said Amelia was special. She showed us videos of her performing in a local theater group. Her colorful artwork hangs up throughout the halls of their home. Andrea said she loved everyone, and now she's missed by all who knew her.
"She wanted to give everyone anything she had. And I just feel like I would tell people how she was just that always thoughtful, giving, kind-hearted, Jesus-loving little girl," she said.
After the crash, Andrea was looking for ways to spread kindness and gave some women in her community a small gift in Amelia's name. She filled it with some of Amelia's favorite things, like a book about devotions, a little message about Amelia, and some fun stickers.
With the holidays approaching, Andrea wanted to do more and continue giving. She posted to her local Facebook group and asked anyone who wanted to nominate women or children going through a hard time, focusing on those who could use a pick me up over the holidays.
"I was a single mom and I was in a really hard place with Amelia one time, like for a while, her- it was just her and I. And I know I would have loved to receive something like this during my hard time. And so that's why I really aim at women and children because that's where my heart's at with it," she said.
Her post got hundreds of comments, blowing her away. In response she's now starting a GoFundMe, to make sure she doesn't have to turn anyone away. Making sure she can continue Amelia's spirit of kindness and spread joy to those suffering.
"I know she would be like, That is so cool. Like, she would be jumping up and down, like wanting to give them to everybody," she said.
Those who would like to help Andrea with this cause can click here to donate.