Virginia Beach, Va. - At first glance Joshua Pickle seems like your typical 9-year-old.
But every Tuesday afternoon, you'll find Joshua helping out in Virginia Beach at a food pantry run by Water's Edge Community Church of God.
Joshua does a little bit of everything from packing groceries to helping folks load up on food.
I asked Joshua why it is so important to come every Tuesday?
"Well I like to help people. It makes me feel very good," he responded.
How did this all start? His mom, Nicole Pickle, says "When Joshua was in kindergarten, he asked me if he could become president of the United States." His mom said it was because he wanted to make a difference.
She suggested volunteering at their church's food pantry. But at nine-years-old? The food pantry's volunteer team leader, Larry Ebinger, stresses Joshua isn't your typical nine-year-old.
"It's one of those things where the guy doesn't need training. You say, 'Hey, we want you to do this' and he says, 'How do I do that?' We tell him and off he goes."
This speaks to why Linda van Rysdam, another volunteer there, sent me the email nominating Joshua. "How many nine-year-olds do you see volunteering every Tuesday, every Tuesday."
Linda's email also had comments from other volunteers praising Joshua for his dedication, passion and maturity, which is why we presented Joshua with a NewsChannel 3 People Taking Action Award and a $100 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
He was stunned. "Wow! I never knew this was ever gonna happen. It just really shocks me. That is pretty awesome!"
