In an yet another great example for children, an 8-year-old girl from Clermont has celebrated her birthday by organizing a donation of stuffed animals.
Kylee Gill had her birthday party on August 14th at Clermont’s Splash Park. The invitation to her friends had one very specific instruction: no gifts for Kylee. Instead she wanted her guests to bring stuffed animals that will be donated to charity the DailyCommercial reports.
The stuffed animals were given to police officers who were at the party, too. They will use the toys to give out to children to make them feel better after a scary incident or injury. They can also give the stuffies to children that are less fortunate.
Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway said the donation is appreciated, and the stuffed animals will work wonders in many situations. He called Kylee’s gesture “awesome” and “selfless.”
“It makes me feel good to give the stuffed animals to the police for the children who get hurt,” Kylee says. Her parents are also pretty happy about Kylee’s idea. They actually started this as a tradition back on her first birthday. Today Kylee’s just tuned eight years old but not only has continued the tradition, she doesn’t want any presents for her and is now actively looking for and picking the charities she would like to help out.
“We call it ‘Treasure for Others’ and have used it as a way to encourage the spirit of giving in her,” Kylee’s mother Melinda says. So far Kylee has picked to help South Lake Animal League, Buses and Backpacks, the First United Methodist Church’s Child Development Center and the Mulberry Inn Women and Children’s Shelter.
It is a great example of kindness and care towards the other. And using stuffed animals is a great way to bring at least some comfort to a child in need after a traumatic or scary event.
