Chicago 4th Grader Collecting Toys For Flood, Tornado Victims
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Chicago fourth grader called the press to his South Side school on Friday to announce a toy drive to benefit kids who were victims of the flooding in Colorado and the tornadoes in Oklahoma.
Kids filled the gym at Edward Beasley Elementary Magnet Academic Center, on the 5200 block of South State Street, where Samuel Love stood behind a podium, announcing his intention to collect 2,000 toys and gift cards (preferably cards, his Mom said, to cut costs) and personally deliver half of them to kids in Colorado, and half to kids in Oklahoma.
When it was pointed out that most fourth graders don't hold news conferences, he said, "It's not usual."
4th Grader Collects Toys For Disaster Victims
The 10-year-old, celebrating his birthday on Friday, said "I just like to help people and make them smile."
"Yeah, all of my kids are unusual," said his father, Victor. "I think it's a good thing. I believe it's more blessed to give than receive."
Victor said Samuel, "is probably my most affectionate child."
Samuel said his friends laugh when he comes up with ideas like this, and said he tells them, "you should start doing stuff, too, to help other kids."
He admitted he has a soft heart.
Samuel did the same thing last year, collecting 800 toys for kids affected by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey.
Toys and gift cards are being collected at four locations:
- Beasley Academic Center, 5255 S. State. St.,
- Josephine's Cooking, 436 E. 79th St.,
- the McDonald's restaurant at 1657 W. 95th St.,
- and the McDonald's at 8313 S. Ashland Av.
Samuel said he plans to deliver the gifts himself in mid-December.
