MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Stella Taylor and her family have visited the Cotton Candy Factory in downtown Belmont many times. 

What You Need To Know

Stella Taylor is an 8-year-old student at W.A. Bess Elementary 

A representative from Holy Angels visited her classroom in first grade 

For two years Stella worked to raise money for the organization, which employs people with mental and physical disabilities

This past December she hit her goal of $150 by selling her toys, clothes and lemonade 

But it wasn't until two years ago, when a representative from Holy Angels made a presentation at her school that Taylor learned the reason behind the candy store. 

Holy Angels is a nonprofit dedicated to caring for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and medical conditions. 

The Cotton Candy Factory is one of three businesses which employ the differently able, and funds go, in part, to helping the nonprofit. 

Taylor, 8, was convinced she needed to raise money for the organization and set a goal of raising $150 two years ago. 

“It took a little while because COVID hit, and you know, we would do a little bit, take a little break, I would forget, but she always reminded me," her mother Lauren Taylor said. 

Stella Taylor was determined to hit her goal. She sold her toys through Facebook Marketplace with the help of her family. She held a yard sale and sold baked goods. 

“I sold some clothes I didn’t use anymore, sold some toys I didn’t use anymore," Taylor said. 
“I sold some clothes I didn’t use anymore, sold some toys I didn’t use anymore," Taylor said. 

Finally, this past Christmas, Taylor hit her goal, proudly donating the money to Holy Angels. 

"At Holy Angels it doesn't matter if it's a $5 donation or a $50,000 donation, every single bit helps our residents, and filling our mission of loving, living and learning for the differently able. When this specific donation came in, we received an email notification, and it was from Stella's mom. She said, 'my daughter helped raise all this money.' And everyone in the foundation was really excited about an 8-year-old raising this much money. To hear how she was inspired, it was really powerful," Holy Angels representative Shawn Flynn said. 

Taylor isn't done giving back to her community. She has her next nonprofit in mind, Bit of Hope Ranch.