FALL RIVER: They might be small, but children at Mrs. Robinson’s Children Centre Too in Fall River certainly know the spirit behind Christmas.
The children have collected toys and other items from the community that they will be donating to a residential home for pre-teens in Halifax operated by Chisholm services for children.
Assistant director Vicky Kerry said the centre began the project three years ago. They went looking for a charity to help out.
“We wanted it to be something to do with children and local,” she explained inside the Fall River Road business, in the Good Day Cafe building. “I found these guys and contacted them, and they thought it was a great opportunity.”
Kerry said it lets those recipients know that other people are thinking about them.
Liam MacLean wants to be able to give back every year.
“I think it’s a great thing that we did,” said.
“It’s awesome because we’re allowing to enjoy their Christmas, just like we do ours,” added Alex Damczyk.
Katey Barrett said it was fun to collect the gifts they had.
“It made me feel happy at what we did,” she said. “We get to be happy at our Christmas, so they should get to be happy at theirs.”
MacLean said it was a very important thing they did.
“If nobody gave them anything it would make them be sad,” he said. “They wouldn’t have any presents for Christmas.”
On Dec. 13, they had abut two table fulls of items collected so far, with more expected to come in up until the deadline of noon on Dec. 22.
What do the kids at Mrs. Robinson’s think those on the receiving end would say?
“I think would say thank you so much for us collecting the stuff and giving it to them,” said MacLean.
What’s the best part of the project for Kerry and Mrs. Robinson’s owner, Tara Robinson?
“We get to see how empathetic and how kind the kids are,” said Kerry.
“These kids have big hearts,” added Robinson. “I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes listening to their answers.”
The impact of what they are doing isn’t lost on the children.
“If we didn’t get the stuff for them, they wouldn’t have as great of a Christmas like we do,” Damczyk said.
Gifts and toy donations will be accepted at Mrs. Robinson’s Children’s Centre Too in Fall River until noon on Dec. 22 to be included with their collection.
