Teen makes cute bow ties for shelter animals to help them get adopted
Since 2010, Sir Darius Brown has been making bow ties as a hobby. It wasn’t until 2017, though, that he paired his hobby with his love of animals. It was then that he decided to make bowties for cats and dogs displaced by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
An entrepreneur at a very young age
At just 11-years-old, the young entrepreneur has made over 500 bow ties for animals in shelters in all 50 states. Darius started by making bow ties for shelter animals at a local ASPCA in New York, where he lives. It was only after visiting the shelter that he realized the need for homes for cats and dogs around the world.
His mom, Joy Brown, estimates that Darius has gotten a few dozen cats and dogs adopted from over 20 shelters. To help facilitate his bowtie making, Darius has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the project. He also has a Website where he accepts donations.
“He now has this thing where he spins the wheel and he selects a state and animal shelter,” his sister, Dazhai Shearz, told CNN.
Receiving awards for his charity
The word of his charitable heart has even reached as far as the White House in Washington, D.C. In 2018, then-President Barack Obama presented Darius with a Presidential Commendation. More recently, Darius has been name3d as the 2020 New Jersey State Honoree for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
“I know that I’m doing something right, raising an amazing kid who is inspiring people all over the world,” his mom said. “I tell him all the time, “I wanna be like you when I grow up.’”
Darius does more than make bow ties
Ever the creative spirit, Darius has other ventures in the works. Following the Australian bushfires, Darius has made mittens for Koalas that suffered burns during the devastating fires. He has also walked the runway at the New York Pet Fashion Show sporting one of his signature ties while holding a dog wearing a similar tie.
Where Darius got his sewing skills
Darius learned how to sew and make his bow ties while helping his sister, who is a hairdresser when he was younger. He helped her cut the fabric and learned how to use a sewing machine at this time. He has been going ever since, making and wearing his bow ties.
When his mom first heard his idea about donating bow ties to animal shelters, she was more than a little perplexed.
“At first I didn’t get it,” Brown said. “But then he explained that he could donate his bow ties to the shelters and if the dogs wear them, they’ll be looking cute and dapper and people will want to adopt them.”
How to find out more about Darius’ work
For more on Darius and his mission to help get animals adopted from shelters across the country, visit his Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook pages. You can also check out the video below for more on this determined, young boy.
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