Savage shows Christmas spirit
I’ve been good this year. I want a doll, bicycle, movie and anything else you want to bring me. With Christmas just a few days away last week children around the county were making their wish lists for Santa.
For one local boy, his list was slightly different. For the second year, Justin Savage, 12, had been collecting as many donations and presents as possible. His wish list was to fulfill the lists of other children.
Two years ago, Savage began volunteering at the McMinnville Housing Authority Residential Activity Center despite the fact that he lives across town. Christmas 2006 and 2007, the center collected donations and items for children in the neighborhood and those currently residing at the Families In Crisis shelter.
Wanting to help, he sponsored several children each year by contacting individuals, businesses and organizations locally and in Crossville for either monetary donation or toys. His efforts collected hundreds of toys and a couple hundred dollars.
‘He has been amazing,’ said Activities Coordinator Joe Madden. ‘If everyone had his heart, we would have no problems whatsoever. That young man has been an absolute blessing. I stand in awe of what he can accomplish once he sets his mind to it.’
Although his shyness stopped him from taking any credit or even speaking out loud, his mother, Michele Smith, did give this insight to a possible motivation.
‘He told me that he could see how much he had compared to other children,’ said Smith. She began as the taxi but ended in volunteering at the center herself. ‘It made him appreciate what he has. It opened his eyes. Now, he wants to make sure every child gets something. Anything I can do to help him to make that happen, I will.’
The giving didn’t stop there. With a truly giving heart, the usually shy boy dressed up in full elf costume and travel with Santa to deliver all the presents.
‘We went and delivered the gifts door to door,’ said Madden who dressed as Santa. ‘He couldn’t wait to get in and watch the child open up the gifts. He got a bigger kick out of it than the kids did. It was more fun to watch him light up than the other kids. The heart that he has just shines.’
Justin didn’t wait for the ghosts of Christmas past to show him the importance of holding Christmas spirit throughout the year. To name a couple, when the center needed 100 cupcakes for a Halloween party and Wings Ministry needed volunteers for their annual party, he turned into a chef and offered a helping hand.
‘At this time of year, people need to know that there are people out there who care,’ said Madden. ‘Justin is one of those caring people. He is probably one of the greatest kids I’ve every met.’