Two years ago Hailee Strandgard told her mother that she wanted to give away all her toys to homeless children.

That spirit of generosity from a young child has snowballed into a community effort to bring happiness to children in need during the holiday season. Now for the third year in a row, Hailee and her family are gathering items and donations to give to various charities in the Salt Lake Valley.

The family has a goal to raise $20,000 this year.

“I have never met two kids [Hailee and her brother, Brayden] that are so caring and want to help other children that don’t have as much,” said Whittier first grade teacher Kathy O’Toole. “They really understand the gift of giving.”

Read more:

ABC4 – “Hope and Help for the Homeless”

KSL – “8-year-old’s charity welcomes 3rd year of Christmas giving”