Lily Silva, 14, has been helping other youngsters in need by collecting toys and donations for four years. | GoFundMe.com
Lily Silva, 14, has been helping other youngsters in need by collecting toys and donations for four years. | GoFundMe.com
Most 14-year-olds want something for themselves for Christmas, but Lily Silva is doing what she can to help make sure others have a joyous holiday season.
“Everybody deserves to feel happy and get gifts on Christmas,” Silva, who has been the Christmas toy collector of Children’s Home Society of North Carolina in Greensboro for four years, according to WXII 12 News.
When asked why she started helping out when she was 11, Silva said, “I just wanted to give to somebody in need.”
She and her mother decided that a good volunteer opportunity would be at the Children’s Home Society, as it collects toys and donations for foster kids each Christmas. The agency’s goal is simple: to be a compassionate advocate for families.
Erika Leyva, the corporate philanthropy specialist for the Children's Home Society, said the agency is always glad to get a helping hand.
“We rely so much on people from the community, on businesses, and for Lily to decide she wants to spend her time doing this speaks volumes,” Leyva told WXII 12 News.
Silva started out modestly, with a goal to collect $600 worth of donations. This year, she’s more ambitious, hoping to bring in $8,000 for the agency. Tools like a GoFundMe account help her achieve her larger goal.
“It makes me really, really happy because I hope they enjoy the gifts that I’m able to pick out for them, and I hope it raises their spirits,” Silva said, according to WXII News.
The teen collects things and stores them at her home before taking it all to the Children’s Home Society.
“It feels amazing that someone young that maybe hasn’t seen or experienced the same things that these kids are experiencing has that compassion to start something that’s no interest to her,” Leyva said.
Silva is accepting gifts and donations through the end of December. If you have questions or are interested in donating, check out her GoFundMe page.
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