An Open Heart for Helping

Eight-year-old Prudence Hagans knows a thing or two about helping others. When COVID-19 was at its worst in Lee County, Prudence was at her best. She and her father, Mike, live at the 1322 North apartments in Auburn where Mike works as the maintenance supervisor.

Hearing how busy it was at East Alabama Medical Center, Prudence—or “Pru” as her dad and close friends sometimes call her—asked if she could set up a station in the apartment complex office for a couple of days to have residents sign a homemade card that was almost as tall as her 4’1” frame. Not only did she get kind messages on the card, but she also got some non-perishable food and $29 in cash.

It wasn’t enough to save the world, but provided a glimpse into Pru’s heart, and ultimately, that of her dad’s as well. At 58 years old, Mike Hagans is not your typical single father, or your typical open-heart surgery patient. In November 2015, Mike felt pain in his chest. “I didn’t know what was wrong; only that something not right was happening,” recalls Mike. “I didn’t want to call 9-1-1 for no reason, but I was really afraid of Pru finding me if I was really in trouble.”

Mike immediately made two calls. One call to 9-1-1 and another to a neighbor to help watch Prudence. Mike initially had a stint placed in a heart valve. Then, open-heart surgery took place the first week in December. “I remember because it really made a very special Christmas to be alive,” says Mike.

Prudence stayed with Mike’s brother for a couple of weeks. “I let her come see me once after surgery in the hospital. I didn’t want to scare her, but wanted her to know I was okay.” Once they reunited at home, Mike and Prudence were whole again. “She took care of me by bringing my medicine to me and making sure I took it. She was very sweet.”

More than four years later, Mike has good health. “His heart is much better since y’all fixed it,” says Pru.

Mike received sole custody of Prudence when she was one, and she’s been his maintenance sidekick ever since. “She’s been going on emergency calls with me since she was about two years old. I would wrap her up in her robe, put on her house shoes and sit her by me while I fixed whatever problem there was,” Mike recalls. “She knows about HVAC, plumbing, sheetrock, and painting; she’s the best thing I’ve ever known.”

Being a single parent is tough, admits Mike. “It’s a struggle to get her breakfast, lunch, supper, keep laundry done, house clean and such, but it’s okay, we are a team and she helps all that I’ll let her.”

Prudence, who just finished 3rd grade at Pick Elementary School where Art is her favorite subject, came up with the idea to help EAMC. “I didn’t want to discourage her from doing something for others,” says Mike.

When asked why she did what she did, Prudence had a reason for each gift.

The card? “To say thank you for all the help y’all do for everyone.”

The food? “For folks that might need something to eat at work.”

The money? “In case y’all need to buy masks or something to stay safe at work.”

Having a heart for missions is nothing new to Pru. “I’m super proud of Prudence wanting to help the hospital,” says Mike. “It was 100 percent her idea. She followed through and it shows what a special

little girl she is. She’s also cleaned up the creek at the end of the road; five big bags of trash we took out. She’s always doing something like that, like donating her toys to Hosanna Home or sending them to Mexico for orphans.”

Because her last experience with an ambulance was scary, Austin Bayles, EMS manager, had an ambulance and paramedics meet Prudence to pick up her donations. While there, Prudence showed her visitors a bird that she and her dad were nursing back to health. “It had a little bit of a hurt wing and was missing some feathers,” she says. “When Daddy showed me the bird, and that it was hurt, we decided to keep it till she got better. After we fed it seeds and worms, it got better. After I released it, she flew to my friend Bella’s house which was very far and high for a little bird to fly.” That’s not surprising. Being around Prudence was probably all the little bird needed to soar high again.