The magic of fundraising

Caden Barksdale, 9, makes money appear out of thin air by giving a magic show at Lake Tye Park. The money he raised, $156, went to Monroe's Take the Next Step, a community resource center for people in crisis.

Caden came to his interest in public service, and Take the Next Step, through activities with his church.

"My husband is a pastor here we spend time over there helping with dinners, and he felt convicted to help the homeless people in Monroe,GÇ¥ said his mother, Shannon Barksdale.

Caden's dad is Justin Barksdale, pastor of Monroe Nazarene Church.

Caden has a long-standing interest in magic, said his mother.

"One of my sister's good friends is a professional magician and has been teaching him tricks,GÇ¥ said Shannon. "And then he looks up things on Youtube and studies tricks.GÇ¥

So was Caden anxious about his first public performance?

Not really, said his Mom.

"It was a little bit windy, but he went with it and did a really good job,GÇ¥ she said. "About 30 people came, and he wasn't nervous, surprisingly, just really excited."