South Floridians Giving To Others This Holiday Season
DAVIE (CBS4) - The shootings in Newtown, Connecticut has reminded people yet again of the negativity in the world -- the pain, the heartache.
But our CBS 4 cameras have witnessed a lot of joy and generosity this holiday season.
Like the look on the face of a 7-year-old at Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary School Monday when Santa Claus surprised him with a remote control monster truck donated by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
"(It's) the best Christmas ever," said Woodchel Bedouard. "I been good this year so I get a cool car."
Mark R. Trouville, the DEA Special Agent in Charge for the Miami Field Division, says the reward for their agents' generosity is in the children's smiles.
"There are a lot of folks -- young folks -- here at this elementary school and others that will struggle to get gifts at Chirstmastime and it's the least folks can do that can afford this sort of thing -- buy an extra gift or two," Trouville told CBS 4's Carey Codd.
The DEA is donating more than 500 gifts to 300 students at several elementary schools in Broward.
We've seen people making donations to pay off shopper's layaway balances at Wal-Mart. We've seen food basket giveaways in Hialeah.
We've also seen South Florida celebrities helping too.
Jason Taylor hosted his annual ping pong tournament Monday evening at the Hard Rock to raise money for his children's foundation.
Players from the Miami Heat put together care packages for troops overseas and the gifts come with a heartfelt message.
"There are people in this country who love you, care you about you, think about you every day and can't wait until you get back home," said Miami Heat President Pat Riley.
Maybe all this giving, sharing and donating will spark a small change in each of us. That's the hope of Judith Charles, whose son received a gift at school Monday.
"I hope he learn how to give," said Judith Charles. "When you grow up, how to give it back to people."
If you would like to help someone in need this holiday season, visit the Neighbors4Neighbors website.
