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Timberlie Cook-Leslie holds donations for the Lancaster Fire Department¿s annual Christmas toy drive. She is seeking more and giving up her birthday gifts in exchange. (Photo Submitted / November 29, 2012) |
In a society that is focused on materialism, there are families who have to be concerned more with basic necessities. Granting a material wish to their child, the simple idea of a toy for Christmas, is something they cannot do.
When 8-year-old Timberlie Cook-Leslie of Lancaster learned there were children in her own community that wouldn’t get such items for Christmas, she wanted to help.
Lancaster Fire Department hosts a toy drive every year. Last year, firefighters were unable to reach their goal, and this year, more community members and groups are stepping up to help, including Timberlie.
“She heard me say (to my husband) the Tobacco Festival was going to help the fire department with the toy drive. She came to me and asked me how she could help,” Timberlie’s mother, Teresa Leslie said. She explained she really didn’t know how to answer her daughter’s question.
Then, the youngster came up with an answer of her own. Timberlie’s birthday is Dec. 6 and she decided she could give up her birthday presents to gather toys for other children in the community.
“She wants to use her birthday to make a difference for kids who aren’t so lucky,” Leslie wrote on the Facebook event.
For anyone interested in helping Timberlie as she helps other children in Lancaster, the youngster’s party will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Lancaster Fire Department on Campbell Street. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child.
For those who can’t make it to the party, Timberlie requests they drop toys at the fire department or into any drop box in Lancaster before Dec. 20.
