YUMA, Ariz.- This isn’t one of Santa’s workshops, these are the kid volunteers at Kids CuddleKit Closet, a non-profit organization that promotes ways in which children receive an act of kindness and then pay it forward to someone else.
Directing board member Kristan Sheppeard, tells us how it got started which was all sparked by a talk show legend. She says,“Oprahs “Big Give’ came to town, and did a contest, for like 2 weeks, who can raise the most money to make a difference in the community, and so we just did a big project to have a big kindness day, and it kind of spiraled from there, and decided we wanted to start the no- profit in order to reach out to the kid in the community, in need of kindness.”
They have three programs that provide kids in Yuma county with the supplies they need and this holiday season it’s the Kindness Cuddlekit School Program.
“There was kids who were in need of kindness, because they were in need of things, clothes, shoes, and the teachers would have an opportunity to have an organization that could help fund some of these ideas that they had for their kids” Sheppeard said.
The fun really begins with their ‘Big Kindness Makes a Difference Day’, in which all those nominated children get these Christmas gifts they so desperately need and it’s all done by other kids.
Haleigh Auza, a KCC volunteers said, “I’ve been involved since 200 since it started, and my favorite part, is probably the day of, when we get to see everyone get their gifts.”
Another KCC volunteer, Destini Rushing, said, “This is my second year involved last year I did it with FFA, and this year I’m doing because I know a lot of the people, and my favorite part is giving the gifts to the kids cause I live seeing their faces light up.”
These kid volunteers are what Sheppeard says drives her and the organization to do more every year. She is thankful for all the help she gets in Making a Difference.
Kristan she would like to thank the kids, the volunteers and the community,
“I personally, the thing I think I like the most…there’s so many things, but seeing number one the community come together so that’s who I would like to thank.”