Posted on Nov 30, 2016 in
HOMETOWN HEROES
Grant and Ben Mize.
By Joan Frances –
Three words objectify what it takes to be a hometown hero: generosity, compassion and commitment. Fort Bend County is blessed to have many altruistic residents who donate their time and money to the community. Age is not a requirement when it comes to assisting people in need, and brothers Ben and Grant Mize are two of Fort Bend’s heroes who deserve recognition for a job well done.
Ben, now age 11 and in fifth grade, started his business when he was eight years old and in second grade. He came home with the idea to mix soap and lotion to help with his dry, cracked hands. Thus, Soshen – soap plus lotion – was born. When Ben’s friend Caleb was fighting leukemia, Ben had an another great idea. Ben recalled, “We learned that Caleb was dealing with dry cracked hands too. He had to constantly wash them, because when a person is undergoing chemo, their immune system is totally destroyed and they cannot fight off germs. I decided that I needed to make a bottle for the family. Then I thought maybe I could make Soshen, sell it and donate $2 of each bottle to Texas Children’s Hospital for cancer research for kids.”
Peyton Richardson, Ben Mize, Caleb Cook and Dr. ZoAnn Dreyer with Ben’s donation to Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
So far, Ben has raised and donated $3,000 to Texas Children’s Hospital in honor of his two friends, Caleb and Peyton, who are both battling leukemia. He hopes to raise $2,000 this month, when his friend Caleb will ring the victory bell over leukemia.
Grant started his company, Sweetwater Candle Company, in fifth grade when he decided to do his science fair experiment on the burn rate of candles to determine if there was a difference in soy, beeswax or paraffin – man-made – wax. “I had so much fun making candles, I asked if I could start making and selling them,” Grant said. “But I did not just want to have a candle company; I wanted a way to give back to our community. I am so thankful for the sacrifices that our military men and women make for our country, so I donate 20 percent of the proceeds to charities that support our military.”
Grant with his rescue dog Dixie.
So far, Grant, who is now 12 and in seventh grade, has raised and donated over $1,200 to the Wounded Warrior Project. This year, Grant is raising money for Freedom Service Dogs of America. They rescue dogs from shelters and then train them to become service dogs for the veterans when they come back from their military assignments. “Freedom Service Dogs of America really spoke to me, because it incorporated two things I am passionate about: our military and rescue dogs,” Grant said. Grant himself rescued Dixie with his own money when he was nine years old with the $150 he had in his wallet. Not only did Grant pay for her then, but he continues to pay for her dog food and understands that adopting a pet is a big commitment. Knowing that he rescued her and could give her a good life means a lot to him.
In addition to their busy commitment to helping their community, the Mize brothers attend school at Cornerstone Christian Academy, where both boys maintain an A average. Grant is an avid hunter, and Ben is an ardent fisherman. They enjoy spending time outdoors with their family. Thank you to this incredible team of brothers for your generosity, and we look forward to watching you impact the world in the future.
For more information about Sweetwater Candle Company, visit www.sweetwatercandlecompany.com. For more information about Soshen, visit www.sosheninc.com.
