Third-grader’s toy drive will bring Christmas joy to many children

By Mary Ann Wyand

“Miracles happen to those who believe in them.”

That French proverb came true last week for Nativity School third-grader Lilly Barkes of Indianapolis, who organized a school toy drive to benefit the Catholic Charities Christmas Store in Indianapolis.

Instead of asking for gifts for her ninth birthday on Nov. 18, Lilly decided to collect presents to give to poor children this Christmas.

Nativity principal Peg Dispenzieri thought it was a great idea and gave Lilly permission to organize the toy drive from Nov. 21 until Dec. 2.

“It really was a whole school effort,” Dispenzieri said. “Lilly came to me about a month ago with this idea. She decided she didn’t want birthday presents for herself, but wanted to do something for other children. The families here at Nativity are always very generous and really do a great job helping with community projects.”

She said parishioners also helped the school’s 340 students collect toys.

“Most of the children were able to help and all the students prayed,” Dispenzieri said. “We try to find somebody every year to share our generosity with. One of the big things we do is practice kindness here at Nativity. … We want to make sure we’re sharing our love during Advent as we prepare for Christmas.”

Nativity third-grader Jessica Rikke of Indianapolis, Lilly’s friend and classmate, will celebrate her ninth birthday on Dec. 18 and told family members and friends that she wanted to help Lilly with the toy drive by having an early birthday party during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The girls hoped to collect at least 200 toys for the Christmas Store, but Nativity students, parishioners, relatives and other friends surprised them with generous donations of gifts far beyond their expectations.

“We have 366 toys,” Lilly said on Dec. 3 as she and Jessica arrived at the Christmas Store to deliver the gifts.

Their parents, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ parishioners Jon and Barb Barkes and Jim and Janet Rikke, and other relatives helped them carry four van loads of boxes and bags filled with presents into the Christmas Store last Saturday.

“I feel really, really happy that [some poor children] get a chance to have presents for Christmas,” Lilly said. “I prayed [about the toy drive] and said, ‘Please help people in need so they can have a wonderful Christmas, and let God’s heart touch them.’ ”

Lilly said she hopes other children will organize toy drives for the Christmas Store next year.

“It’s good to help other kids,” she said, “so they can get a chance to have toys and clothes and other things to be happy.”

Jessica said it was fun to help with Lilly’s toy drive.

“For my birthday, I had some of my family members and friends bring in toys for the toy drive,” she said. “Both of my parents are from big families. I thought we would only get 200 toys and we ended up getting 366 toys. All the kids that are going to get all the presents are going to be happy. It feels really good to know that you helped a lot of people.”

David Siler, executive director of Catholic Charities, thanked the girls for the games, dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, books, crafts, other toys and three checks totaling $110 for the Christmas Store.

“We had a real shortage of toys last year,” Siler said, “and that’s mostly what you collected this year so that’s great. A lot of children are going to have toys under their Christmas tree this year because of the two of you and the other Nativity students. Thank you on behalf of all the kids that are going to have a pretty special Christmas this year.”

Siler also offered his thanks to all the Christmas Store volunteers and other donors who make it possible to help the poor during the holidays.

“It’s like Santa’s workshop today so it’s really exciting,” he said. “It feels like the real spirit of Christmas. This is a completely volunteer operation, and it’s because of all the people who really care about those who won’t have a Christmas that this is able to happen each year.”

Siler told Lilly and Jessica that he hopes other children will follow their example of showing concern for people in need by supporting this ministry.

“The Bible told us that the children will lead us,” he said. “You’re a good example of that.”

Barb Barkes said Lilly was upset that so many people lost all their belongings during Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma, and wanted to do more than make donations at church.

“Lilly really wanted to make a difference,” she said. “When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday, she said, ‘Let’s have a toy drive to help the Katrina victims.’ I said, ‘How about a local charity?’ That’s how it started. We hope to make this an annual toy drive. The girls counted the gifts so they can have a goal to beat next year. We’ll see what happens. … Kids can make a difference.”

Janet Rikke said she was “in tears several times Saturday just thinking about the girls and what they did” to help others.

Julie Lambert and Patrick Smith of Greenwood, Christmas Store clients who received toys for their 8-year-old son, said they depend on welfare assistance and are grateful for the gifts.

“My son wouldn’t have been able to have a Christmas without these little girls’ help,” Lambert said. “I think the little girls should know how awesome they are.”

Smith said “make sure you tell them ‘God bless them’ for their generosity.”

(For more information about the Catholic Charities Christmas Store, call 317-236-1556 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1556.) †