Thirteen-year-old Marlon “Deuce” Miller of McDonough has spent most of his young life working to help those in need.

  Miller, an eighth-grader at Union Grove Middle School, was recently recognized by the Andrew McBride Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution for his charitable efforts. The DAR presented him with a certificate and a monetary donation for his nonprofit organization, Deuce Hands Inc.

  “I was thankful for getting the award because I did a lot of work to get it,” said Miller. “It was an honor and a pleasure to receive the award.”

  Miller launched Deuce Hands Inc. at the end of his fifth-grade year in 2017, when he was just 10 years old. By that time, he said, he had already been working to have a positive impact on the community.

  “When I was six or seven, I started seeing homeless people on the street,” said Miller. “I finally decided to do something to help them. I’ve gone downtown to give out compassion bags, I’ve donated school supplies and clothes. Every year, I have a fundraising event to help Henry County students.”

  Since spearheading Deuce Hands Inc., Miller has expanded his mission to help others in the community. To that end, he has donated school supplies to Henry County’s Kids in Transition, geared toward foster children, less fortunate and homeless kids in the area.

  His mother, Tawanda Miller, was filled with pride as she discussed Marlon’s success in Deuce Hands Inc. This, she said, includes his work in late June, honoring those who have served in the U.S. military.

  “He had a carnival and he raised money for the Veterans Support Group,” said Tawanda Miller. “He donated $1,000 to the organization.”

  Tawanda Miller said Marlon’s achievements extend well beyond service to his community.

  “He plays soccer, he’s in the National Junior Honor Society, the National Junior Beta Club, the Men of Distinction at Union Grove Middle School, and he is an ‘A’ student,” she said. “I couldn’t ask for a better kid.”

  Tawanda Miller said her seven-year-old daughter, Madison, has also been instrumental in helping to make her big brother’s events be as successful as she can.

  “She’s his right hand,” the mother said. “She helps him with compassion bags, and she’s a part of every event that he has. We operate as a team. That’s why it says on his T-shirts, ‘Deuce Hands are better than one. That’s his motto.”

  Deuce Hands Inc. is also sponsoring its third annual holiday fundraiser, slated for December 14, at Studio 48 in downtown McDonough. Proceeds from the event will benefit less fortunate students in Henry County.

  Tawanda Miller said she is happy that Marlon was recognized for his desire to help those around him.

  “I felt like it was an honor as well coming from the DAR,” she said.

  “Sometimes you do a lot and don’t even realize other people are watching.”

  Marlon Miller added that he hopes Deuce Hands Inc. will inspire others to reach out to those in need.

  “I’m doing it from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I just feel like there’s not enough good in the world, and I want to motivate other people to do good things like I’m doing.”