Third-graders' toy drive brings Christmas joy to many children

Published: 2005-12-09

INDIANAPOLIS (CNS) -- The selflessness of two third-graders will bring Christmas joy to hundreds of children in the Indianapolis area. Lilly Barkes of Nativity Catholic School in Indianapolis decided not to ask for gifts for her ninth birthday in November and instead organized a school toy drive to benefit the Catholic Charities Christmas store in Indianapolis. Jessica Rikke, Lilly's friend and classmate, made the same request for her December birthday and asked for an early birthday party during the Thanksgiving weekend to collect toys. Although the girls had hoped to gather 200 toys, the school's 340 students -- in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade -- brought in 366 toys. "It really was a whole school effort," said Peg Dispenzieri, Nativity principal. "The families here at Nativity are always very generous and really do a great job helping with community projects."

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