VILONIA, AR – “It feels good to know you’re helping other kids,” says Sam Love, creator of “Sam and Santa’s Toy Drive.”
At just 11-years-old, Love is a little small for the role, but he’s been playing Santa for three years, donating gifts nationwide to children affected by natural disasters.
“It has gotten bigger and better every year,” says his dad, Victor Love.
Sam’s based in Chicago but will haul gifts wherever he’s needed.
“When you’re doing something serious and not just sitting on the couch watching it on the news and you’re doing something about it, that’s really good,” the boy says.
This year, more than 2,000 donated gifts will be handed out to those affected by April’s tornado.
“It wiped us out,” says tornado victim Kathy Porter.
Porter, a grandmother of three, is one of the more than 350 whose homes were destroyed in the tornado’s path.
“It was totaled,” she says.
Porter says she won’t take any gifts home Monday morning at the Church of Nazarene when they are distributed, because helping is just as important.
“It takes all of us to build it back,” says Porter.
Love’s father says the toys are just one part of a larger message the toy drive is trying to spread.
“We’ve given them hope, I think we’ve given them joy. I think we’re inspiring. I think Sam’s act of kindness is even teaching us adults how we should act towards one another,” says the man.
Gifts will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.
At just 11-years-old, Love is a little small for the role, but he’s been playing Santa for three years, donating gifts nationwide to children affected by natural disasters.
“It has gotten bigger and better every year,” says his dad, Victor Love.
Sam’s based in Chicago but will haul gifts wherever he’s needed.
“When you’re doing something serious and not just sitting on the couch watching it on the news and you’re doing something about it, that’s really good,” the boy says.
This year, more than 2,000 donated gifts will be handed out to those affected by April’s tornado.
“It wiped us out,” says tornado victim Kathy Porter.
Porter, a grandmother of three, is one of the more than 350 whose homes were destroyed in the tornado’s path.
“It was totaled,” she says.
Porter says she won’t take any gifts home Monday morning at the Church of Nazarene when they are distributed, because helping is just as important.
“It takes all of us to build it back,” says Porter.
Love’s father says the toys are just one part of a larger message the toy drive is trying to spread.
“We’ve given them hope, I think we’ve given them joy. I think we’re inspiring. I think Sam’s act of kindness is even teaching us adults how we should act towards one another,” says the man.
Gifts will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.
