Haven has been inspired by her little friend, Hadley Smith's story at www.thislittlelight.org .Hadley found a way to bless many children much less fortunate than her in a big way, so this got Haven thinking.
The next day after reading Hadley's story Haven came to me and said she wanted to give some special things to children too. She took me back to her room where she had a pile of stuffed animals. My heart started hurting knowing some of those she had picked were special for one reason or another,and to be real honest I cringed seeing one or two of the more expensive stuffed animals in her pile.
Haven was really excited as she explained to me why she picked each and every animal and what type of child would like that particular animal. She wanted to make sure we could give the animals to either sick children, children with no mommies and daddies, or mean mommies and daddies. She said she chose to give her stuffed animals so these children would have something soft to hold to make them feel safe.
I called the Hospital about donating the stuffed animals and they were touched by Haven's story. They could not accept them due to their policy but they were quick to find a place in the community that could use them. They gave me a number of a place called "The Hide Away". This is a place that takes in battered women and children that usually have nothing but the clothes on their back when they arrive. This facility is funded by a thrift store in the basement, so they were open to taking anything from toys to furniture. I explained this to Haven (in 5 year old terms) and she was so excited! We spent an entire evening after school bagging up clothes, shoes, books, toys, decor, etc to take to the thrift store. By the end of the night the entire family was involved.
We took the bags of donations to the store today. Haven got to tell them why she wanted to give and they too were touched by her giving heart. One of the ladies started going through her bags of toys, shoes, etc. She told Haven that there were 14 children in the home who would cherish these nice things she had donated. We walked around the store for a while and were approached by the volunteer who assured Haven that some of the items we brought were going to the children in the home instead of being put in the store. That made Haven's day, she really wanted her things to go to the children instead of the store.
This has been a wonderful learning experience for Haven and heart warming to several people. So I'd like to say thank you to Hadley for inspiring Haven to do something special for others less fortunate. This has definitely started a ripple effect of a giving spirit.
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Sweet story! Haven, you have touched more people than you can truly even begin to imagine. You have also shared a piece of your heart. I know how hard it is to give up those stuffed animals.
Jaidyn helped me pack shoe boxes this past week for Operation Christmas Child and she still has a hard time understanding that not all kids have what she has. She comes up with so many questions and I have such a hard time answering them in a way a 3-4 year old would understand.
Of course with her Birthday and Christmas around the corner, she is also caught up in all that she wants. Giving is not necissarily on the front burner. Maybe I am asking too much of her...she is only 3.
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