Marissa McKinnon wants everybody in the Tri-Cities to have a happy Christmas but she's not just dreaming about it — she's taking action.
Marissa, who recently turned 11, is collecting food and money and buying gifts for another family through the Caring Neighbour program run by Share Family and Community Services.
She collected items during her recent birthday party and, with her mom, Jennifer, will be putting together a holiday hamper for a single mother with two young children.
"It's really important at Christmas especially," Marissa said. "Kids don't get presents and stuff and they are going hungry when we are having good Christmas feast."
Among the items McKinnon collected at her birthday party was 10 lb. of food, $50 in gift cards and $50 in cash.
Jennifer McKinnon said she's proud of her daughter, who is taking on this initiative for the second year in a row. Last year, the McKinnons put together a hamper for a local family with money generated by a lemonade stand.
The younger McKinnon, meanwhile, says the volunteer effort is a family affair, bringing mother and daughter closer together through charitable acts.
"I love giving back to the community and me and my mom, we volunteer together. We like to volunteer for Share. I don't like being hungry and I don't think other people should be hungry."
In addition to the Caring Neighbour program, the McKinnons also make presentations about Share to community groups, and Jennifer McKinnon helps out with Share's mascot.
She too, believes, it's important to give back, and enjoys having her daughter at her side.
"It's the next generation, right? You've got to start young and raise them with awareness of thankfulness and gratefulness."
For more information about Share's Christmas programs, visit www.sharesociety.ca
