Syracuse, NY - John McGinn says he wants to be a farmer when he grows up. And at age 7, he’s already teaching adults a thing or two about the combined power of kindness and farming. “One good turn deserves another,” John said. The boy is selling sweet corn in front of his home on North Main Street in...
John McGinn, 7, and his mom, Suzanne McGinn, examine corn he picked today. The Jordan boy is selling corn he harvests from a two-acre plot to help raise money for Matt McCabe, a neighbor undergoing treatment for a heart defect. “One good turn deserves another,” John said.
The boy is selling sweet corn in front of his home on North Main Street in the village of Jordan to raise money to help out a local family, the McCabes. Matt McCabe, 51, has a rare heart defect and needs a transplant. Currently, he is in Boston receiving treatment. He and his wife, Gayle, have five children and care for two others.
The McGinns and McCabes both attend St. Patrick’s Church in Jordan. When John heard at church that the McCabe family needed money because Matt McCabe was sick, he asked his mother if he could help.
Suzanne McGinn, John’s mother, said her son always has shown an interest in farming. This summer John got the chance to grow and care for sweet corn at a farm in the town of Elbridge. He was given more than 2 acres of sweet corn to tend.
“John’s really taken the lead with the corn,” said Suzanne McGinn. “We are out there every morning picking the corn.”
John and Nancy Hourigan own the farm and told the boy he could have the profit for selling the corn. John and his siblings have been selling the corn for $3 a dozen at a stand in front of their home since Aug. 2. The proceeds are going to the McCabes.
“It turned out to be a great experience for everyone,” Suzanne McGinn said. “You don’t have to be a millionaire to help people out.”
John’s father, Terrence McGinn, is a Syracuse police officer. Terrence and Suzanne have six children, and Suzanne said she believes the family’s strong faith has taught their children to be caring and giving.
“I’ve always taught them that we are fortunate to be able to help others,” Suzanne McGinn said. “And we should always help when we can.”
Gayle McCabe said she greatly appreciates John’s act of kindness.
“We think he is an amazingly sweet little boy,” Gayle McCabe said. “We feel extremely fortunate to live in a community that has such a wonderful spirit of helping.”
Gayle McCabe said her family’s health insurance will not cover all of the expenses for her husband’s heart transplant, and the family is struggling with other medical costs.
“When someone needs something in this community, we all pitch in together to get through it,” she said. “Even the children pitch in.”
Staff writer Catie O’Toole contributed to this report. Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298.