LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - While many Central Arkansas school children are spending their week on vacation or outside playing with their friends, one Little Rock girl is instead spending her break bringing joy to others.
"I just didn't want to waste my spring break doing pointless things. I wanted to help people and make them really happy,” said 10 year-old Indian Hills student, Annie Zimmerman.
Instead of spending her spring break enjoying the sunshine with friends, she is spending the week bringing sunshine to others, by sharing the gift of song.
"I don't think they get that very often, that's why they were so happy about it. That's why they were so excited to have me come over there and actually take time to, you know, sing for them. Just for them,” she said.
Zimmerman sang At Last by Etta James and A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke to a group of senior citizens at The Manor, an assisted living facility in Little Rock.
"She is so wonderful. I can't imagine that she would want to come out here to these elderly people like this. She's real nice. I'd think she'd want to be playing somewhere,” said resident Charles Weir of Zimmerman’s choice
Zimmerman’s talent was discovered by her mentor, Mario Settles, a little over a year ago at a talent show.
"I think it says a whole lot about who she is and how she was raised...It's beautiful out here and everyone's out on vacation, doing their fun stuff, and she's just willing to do something for someone else. I think that's a pretty big thing,” Settles said.
The crowd was in awe as she sang. They embraced Zimmerman with their praises when she was done.
"It's really kind of strange nowadays. It wouldn't be strange 20 years ago, but now for young people to use their time, it's wonderful,” said resident, Minnie Rodgers.
She and fellow resident, Betty Stagg both worked in public schools.
"It was a real treat, and we appreciate her being brought to us and sharing that talent that she has. She's marvelous. One day she's going to be even greater,” Stagg added.
"I just want to make people happy. [That's] the meaning of this world. If we aren't going to make other people happy, then you're not going to be happy either," Zimmerman said. "Once you're gone, you're not really going to leave anything behind, but the thing you can leave behind is the happiness of others."