From the Maryville Daily Forum - Two local girls recently decided to forgo receiving presents for their birthday from their friends, and instead gave to those in need.
“I don’t want anyone to be hungry,” Mattie Dimmitt said.
Mattie is the daughter of Travis and Elizabeth Dimmitt and celebrated her 6th birthday earlier this month. For her birthday, she wanted to do something for other children.
“We were talking about Mattie’s birthday cake and she said that she wanted a big birthday cake so no one was hungry at her party,” Elizabeth said. “She didn’t want anyone to be hungry at all and she got big tears in her eye and asked if we could donate food for people.”
For her party, Mattie’s friends arrived with gifts, but the packages weren’t filled with toys, instead cans and boxes of food. Once her party was over, Mattie, with some help, took the donations of food to the Maryville Ministry Center and presented it to Ministry Center coordinator Merlin Atkins.
“It shows her character, she’s an empathetic kid and she feels things deeply,” Elizabeth said. “If she sees someone upset, sad or in need, she wants to help them out.”
Mattie was not the only local child who recently decided to give back to their community for their birthday. Mattie’s best friend, Eliana, celebrated her 5th birthday in February and decided that she wanted to give back, as well.
“If we could pay the support and love we get from people forward, it would be a great thing,” Eliana’s father, Tim Wall, said. “For Eliana’s birthday, she wanted to invite her friends and instead of asking for more toys or presents, she thought it would be a good idea to raise some food for the Ministry Center.”
Mattie and Eliana are still children, though, and enjoy playing with their dolls and stuffed animals just like every other kid does.
“For being so young, it’s a blessing to have kids that are living for something more than themselves,” Wall said. “I’m hopeful that it will continue over time and it’s amazing to see kids doing things for others.”
“I don’t want anyone to be hungry,” Mattie Dimmitt said.
Mattie is the daughter of Travis and Elizabeth Dimmitt and celebrated her 6th birthday earlier this month. For her birthday, she wanted to do something for other children.
“We were talking about Mattie’s birthday cake and she said that she wanted a big birthday cake so no one was hungry at her party,” Elizabeth said. “She didn’t want anyone to be hungry at all and she got big tears in her eye and asked if we could donate food for people.”
For her party, Mattie’s friends arrived with gifts, but the packages weren’t filled with toys, instead cans and boxes of food. Once her party was over, Mattie, with some help, took the donations of food to the Maryville Ministry Center and presented it to Ministry Center coordinator Merlin Atkins.
“It shows her character, she’s an empathetic kid and she feels things deeply,” Elizabeth said. “If she sees someone upset, sad or in need, she wants to help them out.”
Mattie was not the only local child who recently decided to give back to their community for their birthday. Mattie’s best friend, Eliana, celebrated her 5th birthday in February and decided that she wanted to give back, as well.
“If we could pay the support and love we get from people forward, it would be a great thing,” Eliana’s father, Tim Wall, said. “For Eliana’s birthday, she wanted to invite her friends and instead of asking for more toys or presents, she thought it would be a good idea to raise some food for the Ministry Center.”
Mattie and Eliana are still children, though, and enjoy playing with their dolls and stuffed animals just like every other kid does.
“For being so young, it’s a blessing to have kids that are living for something more than themselves,” Wall said. “I’m hopeful that it will continue over time and it’s amazing to see kids doing things for others.”
1435 Reads
- Posted by wavingatyou
- Aug 18, 2015
- Comments (0)
