WATCH ABOVE: Presents are often the highlight for any kid at their own birthday party. One Calgary birthday boy got exactly that Sunday but he’s giving them all away. As Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports, his annual act of kindness has grown bigger than anyone could have imagined.
CALGARY- When you think of a kids birthday party, loads of presents usually come to mind.
Well, one Calgary birthday boy is getting exactly that today but he’s giving them all away.
George Boyce’s annual gift giveaway has grown bigger than anyone could have imagined.
He loves to skate so it seemed normal that when he turned nine, he requested a skating party at Olympic Plaza.
What wasn’t so normal was what he was asking for.
“He said we’ll have everybody bring a gift but then I would just give everything to the children’s hospital. I don’t want anything for myself,” Gillian Boyce, George’s mother said. “And our jaws just dropped. We were just like, what do you mean?”
That’s wonderful but what do you mean? And he said I don’t want anything. I said how about daddy and I get you a present. He said you can if you want but I’m just going to donate it,” Gillian Boyce said.
That was four years ago. This week, George turns 12 and he still figures he has everything he needs.
“I just like to see a lot of joy and everyone and giving my birthday gifts to the children’s hospital I think it brings them a lot of joy,” George Boyce said.
This year, George invited his entire grade seven class at Holy Cross School and his hockey team to come join him as he collects more gifts for kids at the children’s hospital.
“I am proud of him as his coach and it’s overwhelming to see somebody like that at that age just having that sense of compassion,” Ralph Dilillio said.
When asked if he wants anything for himself, George enthusiastically pointed to a new set of skates he just got so now he says he’s pretty much set.
“We live a very modest life. He doesn’t have the latest and greatest Xbox, Wii, and whatever, it’s not like that. But that being said he’s very humble about all of that too,” Gillan Boyce said.
Those who came to share a skate and cupcake with George, left feeling better about the future.
“There’s definitely a lot of good kids out there and they just don’t show taste as often as they probably should, so I think this is a fantastic way to showcase at least one of the great kids the Calgary has,” George’s friend Tamara Graham said.
George’s first donation party started with 50 gifts, last year it ballooned to 310.
“People say if you give, that you shouldn’t expect to receive. But I still receive from a lot of people, joy from just their happiness,” George Boyce said.
Comments