Madison Lindsey is making it a point to give back to those less fortunate this Christmas season.

A freshman at River City Early College, Lindsey is working to collect toys to donate to the Warren County Children’s Shelter to help make sure the children have a Merry Christmas.

“I like helping people and my mom knows the people at the children’s shelter so, she suggested it and I decided to do it,” Lindsey said.

This is the second year she has helped the children’s shelter after raising $600 with an Alice in Wonderland themed art show last year.

“I helped with the shelter my previous year in eighth grade with an art show, so this year I decided to do a toy drive because we don’t have art here,” Lindsey said. “It came together with my mom because she knows Mrs. Cindy (McCarley at the children’s shelter) and we started talking with her and it came together. I got the box, wrapped it and put it up here and then I got a flyer together.”

Lindsey has collection bins set up at River City Early College and at the Vicksburg Senior Center on South Street.

“We need stuff for all ages like tablets, cars, teddy bears, baby dolls, Barbie dolls,” Lindsey said. “The tablets will stay at the children’s shelter for the kids. They need large duffel bags, bags in general, hair accessories for the little girls, scarves, clothes.”

Lindsey was able to plan the toy drive with help from Marian Richardson, the counselor at River City, who helped her to print flyers and set up the box in the school’s lounge.

“It is actually amazing,” Richardson said of Lindsey planning the drive. “It is what we want to instill. They do service hours and they have to do hours each year. She didn’t know, but for starting this she will get 10 service hours. That is a big chunk, but its not why she’s doing it. We want them to have a bigger world picture and not tunnel vision that it is all about them and be a better citizen.” 

The children’s shelter is working to collect items for children of all ages. A full list of suggested items can be found here and here. 

If you are interested in donating you can email Richardson at mrichardson@VWSD.org or call River City Early College at 601-629-6812.