Two young boys from Sylvan Lake have been saving up part of their allowance all year to buy gifts for girls and boys this holiday season.
Holden, 5, and older brother Easton Stuckey, 8, have worked hard around the house all year round to earn their allowance and buy gifts for those who maybe wouldn’t have anything under the tree.
The brothers said their goal was to make children happy on Christmas.
“We just really want to make little boys and girls happy, because they maybe won’t have any presents,” said Easton.
This is the fourth year the duo have given gifts to other children who they felt were more in need than them.
Easton says he has been giving for his “entire life.”
Aimee Stuckey, the boys’ mother, said it has been about four years since they decided to give presents to others.
“Easton came home from school one day around Christmas with extra gifts from his class. He told me he didn’t need them and asked to donate them to someone who does,” explained Aimee.
Since that first year, with only a handful of gifts to donate, Easton has worked to give to others, and eventually recruited his younger brother to help.
The number of gifts has grown, from a few small items to a table full of gifts bought with children in mind.
With the help of Mom and Dad matching their allowance, the number has grown each year.
This year, Holden wanted to donate bikes, and with the help of his parents, he bought five bikes to donate.
“Some little kids don’t have a bike and might want one,” Holden said.
The duo plans to donate the items during the annual Charity Check-Stop, on Dec. 1. In years past they have done so and have received a huge response.
“They smile at us and tell us they are happy,” said Easton, with Aimee adding the officers always tell the boys who proud they are of them.
Giving back to those who are in need makes the two boys happy, they say. Easton would like to be able to give a gift to his entire school if he could.
Aimee says she is so proud of her boys, and for all they have done.
“They are so empathetic,” said Aimee. “Some people are not born with empathy, it’s something they have to learn. My boys were born with it, and I am so proud of them.”
Holden has challenged all the children in Sylvan Lake to help those who are without this holiday season.
He says he would like every child in town to pick a name off the Angels Anonymous Tree at Dairy Queen.
“Get a name of the tree at Dairy Queen and get them a gift, and your parents will get you ice cream as a treat,” Holden said.
The boys look forward to donating their presents this year, and plan to continue helping those they can.
“We just want to make little kids happy, that’s all,” said Easton.