A Family Camping
Trip Changed
Her Life
DONNA C. BRAYMER was
a busy pastor's wife, mother
of three growing boys, business
woman, and committed community
volunteer, when a mischievous
raccoon changed her life!
Now she is passionate about her
furry little fellow and using his
antics to help change children's
lives. From his home in the Big Oak
Tree in Harrison Hollow State Park, Rowdy Raccoon, along with his best friend Savannah Squirrel, helps Donna impart the importance of helping children develop strong character.
Where I Came From
I grew up in Tyler, Texas, where I graduated from Robert E. Lee High School. I was blessed to marry a fine man, who eventually felt God's call on his life to be in full-time Christian ministry. I have served alongside my husband, Howard, as he has pastored at Open Door Baptist Church in Harrison, Arkansas. It was in this beautiful small town that we "survived" raising three active sons. They are all married and in ministry themselves today.
What I Do
My activities through the years have been varied and interesting. I was privileged to graduate from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri with a Bachelors Degree in Missions and Bible. My adult life has always included ministering to children--from teaching piano lessons, to volunteering in the school system as a teacher's helper, to a 15-year stint as an elected member of the Board of Education, and as a director at the state level for the Arkansas School Boards Association. I'm also a leader for our church's WiseGuys children's program and director of our church choir.
As Business Editor at the Harrison Daily Times, our local newspaper, my job gives me the chance to write positive articles about the businesses in our area, and to touch lives of children through our NIE (Newspapers in Education) program at the newspaper. Rowdy Raccoon is able to be a part of that program.
How the Raccoon Lady Began
One day my husband and three sons were camping at a state park in Arkansas with another pastor and his wife. It was the first time I had gone camping as an adult. I left a loaf of bread out on the table and the park animals had a feast. That gave me the idea of a story about a mischievous raccoon. My first raccoon, Rascal, became very popular among our family and friends, and I soon became known as the "Raccoon Lady." I was able to use these stories to teach Biblical character traits to children--a deep passion of my heart.
After a number of years of writing and sharing my raccoon stories with children, I was accepted by a publisher who saw the potential for a series. It was then that ROWDY RACCOON and his home in the Big Oak Tree in Harrison Hollow State Park was created. He has been giving me "pleasant fits of anguish" ever since!
Why it Matters
Today I regularly step through new doors of opportunity--taking Rowdy with me whenever he's not rummaging through a trash can somewhere!
 | ||||||
| ||||||
