Weymouth Girl Donates Her Birthday Gifts To Toys For Tots
WEYMOUTH (CBS) - A Weymouth third grader gave up her birthday presents, so less fortunate kids could have them. For this little girl, the good idea is just the beginning.
It was Sivana Athanas' ninth birthday last month and she had a great idea. "Maybe I can do something that can change the world. My idea was to have people buy presents for Toys for Tots," she says.
That's instead of buying presents for her. "She just said she didn't want birthday presents this year, and she was going to donate them," says Sivana's mom Marissa Leavitt.
Sivana took all the gifts her family and friends would have ordinarily given her and brought them to the Toys for Tots center at the Weymouth Police station.
"I was so happy when I dropped them off. I dropped off a Lego set, head bands, a doodle bear, a basketball hoop. Children don't have all the things we have," she says. "It's part of what the season is. She felt like it was better to give than it was to receive, and that's the essence of what Christmas is about," says Weymouth Police Capt. Joseph Comperchio.
And because of her selfless act, less fortunate children will have a happier holiday. "I'm very proud of her. I think it's a great thing," says Sivana's mother. "It's nice to get presents for yourself, but it's even more greater to give them to kids who don't have toys," Sivana says.
Sivana tells us she'll do it again next year, and may also collect food for people who could use a little help.
