Instilling a giving spirit

I love that my daughter likes to help others. Her latest effort involved turning over two bags full of stuffed animals, some with tags still on them. She probably could have filled five bags. Maybe more.

She realizes that she's fortunate to have so many furry stuffed toys. She's also getting older and doesn't really need them. So we discussed how they could get another life with a family in need. I could have just bagged up for Goodwill. We often donated household items, toys and clothes donations there. But we wanted to give them to children who needed to be cheered up because of circumstances beyond their control.

We heard our local police department accepts gently used an new toys for its victims unit. We felt this is the way to best help. We also figured not a lot of people donate items there, so we dropped off two bags with bears, dogs, hippos, deer, cats, and more.

My daughter wants to expand her efforts to collect and donate stuffed animals. We've discussed the possibility of asking her elementary school to do a stuffed animal drive. Her brother wants to get involved, too.

As we left the police department today, my daughter says: "It feels really good to help someone out." I feel great hearing her say that.