BROOKHAVEN — Falana McDaniel turned the tragic death of her son Mikeil McDaniel into an opportunity to make a positive difference. Her charity Mikeil D’s Hope Foundation was started to support the education of K-12 students. 

One of her programs is the Adopt-A-School program which provides necessary learning materials to support students who may not be able to afford them. Mikeil D’s Hope Foundation partnered with Mike Whatley Honda, Latasha Fields and other businesses to sponsor a donation of 100 backpacks, boxes of pencils, glue sticks, note books and colored pencils to Brookhaven Elementary School Tuesday morning. 

Mikeil died on June 20, 2023, he was 23. Nearly 13 months after his death, Falana has found a new purpose. Throughout the year she hopes to donate supplies to more schools. 

“This gives me hope and joy to be able to help students,” Falana said. “It gives me hope to give to students who need school supplies.” 

Brookhaven Elementary School was the first stop to kick-off the project. Each nine weeks, Mikeil D’s Hope Foundation will donate to a school. Readers can nominate a school by calling 601-757-3614 or emailing mdmhopefoundation@gmail.com.