She’s a little girl with a big heart.
Seven-year-old Ky-Lee Quilty of Alcona is embarking on what is becoming a seasonal quest to make sure some other kids enjoy their Christmas, too.
Last year, Ky-Lee, volunteered to “give up my Christmas” to help a needy family of four.
This year, the youngster is donating the proceeds of any gifts she may receive, plus contributions from the community, to young people staying at Barrie’s Youth Haven shelter at Christmastime.
Ky-Lee’s mother, Rachelle Gillies, isn’t surprised at her daughter’s generosity.
“She’s been doing random acts of kindness since she was three years old,” Gillies says. “My mom worked at a nursing home and she asked Ky-lee to sing a Dixie Chicks song at the home. Then, at age five, she cut off her hair for the ‘Locks of Love’. This Thanksgiving, she came into the shelter where I work and helped serve dinner. She also took part in the Poverty March in Barrie.”
Visiting Youth Haven has left an impression on Ky-Lee.
“She’s asking for no gifts and wants us to take the money we would spend on her and buy gifts for the youth staying at the shelter,” Gillies says. “From being there, she says she’s seen the sadness in their eyes, knowing they wouldn’t be with their families at Christmas.”
“It makes me feel happy I’m helping other people,” Ky-Lee says. “It makes me sad to see people unhappy. Just because they’re homeless doesn’t mean they don’t need love.”
“Last year, it was amazing,” Gillies says. “She collected 17 gifts for each child, plus gifts for the mom. It was a very positive outcome. This year, we will take the gifts in a couple of days early and wrap them. It will be important to go on Christmas Day so Ky-Lee can see how they react to receiving the gifts. They need to see someone cares about them. I’ll accept donations until Christmas Eve. I’ll do pickups, too.”
“All it takes is one person to make a difference,” Ky-Lee says.
Anyone wishing to help out can call Rachelle at 294-0684 or e-mail her at ‘bigheartchild7@live.com’
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