Above, Dylan (left), Austin, Mr. Jett and Drake Kress are shown presenting Jett with the $445 dollars raised by Kress and the Bullard Hoopsters at the game this past Friday. At right, Drake and his mom, Laura were congratulated at halftime of the game, for his previous contribution of a couch to the unfortunate Jett, who recently lost his home to a fire. It is a rare occasion that young Drake Kress of Bullard gets to watch the news with his family.

Usually in bed for the late edition, the news can sometimes be a bit too scary for the normal five-year old to put into normal perspective.

However, had we all had the compassion and persistence that the Bullard elementary student displayed these past few weeks, we could all learn a big lesson in life.

Drake has a compassion that goes way beyond his years, and it turned into a worthwhile mission.

In that rare occurrence, young Drake happened to catch the news a few weeks back of a Tyler man making a mistake and losing his home to a fire.

(Courtesy Photos) After a wreck in front of his house, it took Ozell Jett’s attention away from a skillet of hot grease on the stove, and in turn he had to watch his home burn to the ground.

Not really knowing Mr. Jett, Drake was so taken with the news story of Jett’s unfortunate turn that he wanted to do something.

“Drake came to us and was really sad, and said he wanted to do something for that man,” said Drake’s mom, Laura.

“We asked what he wanted to do, and when he said he wanted to give him the couch, it really surprised us and kinda caught us off-guard,” the proud mom continued.

“But after we talked about it, if it was that important to him then we felt like if a five-year old can think of something so compassionate, we just couldn’t say no to him.”

A local TV station ran the story of Drake’s generosity, and Kress’s Bullard Hoopsters coach, Randy Spears saw Drake and his family at a local sandwich shop, and commented on the news story about Drake’s humble gift.

“I told Drake I saw him on TV and told him if he wanted to do something through the Hoopsters we would help him,” said Spears about Drake’s mission of mercy.

Spears continued, “So Drake comes to me at practice last week and asked if he and the team would help take up a collection at the upcoming Bullard basketball games.”

This past Friday night, as the Hoopsters were scheduled for their usual halftime spectacular of ball-handling and skills drills, Drake and his teammates were working behind the scene during the game.

At the end of the night, the Hoopsters and Drake’s perception and concern had collected $445, which Drake gave to Mr. Jett this past Saturday.

“He felt good and was really happy, and gave me a great big handshake,” said Drake about the money surprise for his new-found friend, Ozell Jett.

“When I saw his story on TV, he looked so sad, his house had burnt, and he and his dog did not have a place to live, so I just wanted to make sure he and his dog had food.” said a shy little five year old with a heart bigger than some ten times his age.