Sarah's Saving 4 Smiles :)

Christmas 2014, I had to explain to my daughter's that Christmas could be a little sparse due to a huge mistake I made in having faith in someone.  But you want to talk about making a bad situation, good....wow did that ever happen.
 Neither cared about receiving, because to them it is about much more than getting. It's about giving.
That's when my youngest, Sarah 10 years old, said "that's ok momma, some kids don't get ANYthing for Christmas.  How about I gather up my birthday money and we go and buy for them for the Toys for Tots bins? And you could even use what you were going to use for me, for them." Talk about one of the most humbling moments in my life.  As I fought back tears of pride and amazement of her beautiful heart, I agreed.
We went on our shopping excursion to Toys 'R Us with my mom and spent about $250 on toys, with my mom matching about half, for a total of about $375.  Sarah took such care and interest in picking each toy for specific reasons she thought they would like them.  For example: a Pillow Pet (actually I think 4 Pillow Pets lol) was picked because it "could be for a little one who is in a shelter or somewhere where they feel scared and alone and this might make them feel better." ...yeah, like I said, a very humbling moment.
We managed to fill TWO bins of Toys for Tots at my sister's dentist office, with our finds.  But for Sarah, this wasn't enough.  She cried a little on the car ride home because she felt she hadn't been able to buy for enough kids.  She has made it her goal to outdo last year, so that we can buy for more kids and give them a Merry Christmas. 
We are saving all our change all year (which has actually already accumulated to a little over $100), setting aside $20 a month, and she made money shovelling and helping a friend who is remodeling their house...and she put ALL the money she made in a jar for the toys.  She is also selling things at our town's Kids Only yard sale and using ALL money raised for it as well.  
We actually have learned of an orphanage in the area, and she is hoping to have enough to give a gift to each child there....a huge goal, but my girl is quite focused.  Her sister even told her she'd give her a dollar to take out the dog for her, and as soon as she adds "for the donations", Sarah is all over it! (my oldest donates anyway, but hey if you can get your kid sister to do something, you go for it lol)

I am not telling her I'm doing this on her behalf.  I am hoping to surprise her and tell her she has WAY more than she even hoped she'd have to spend.  Please help me make my little girl's dream a reality.  The absolute joy she gets from knowing she is putting smiles on a person's face, makes me feel absolutely blessed to be her Momma.