A small rural Ohio village that has experienced it’s share of hardship will receive a Christmas miracle this year thanks to one little resident.
Eight-year-old Haylee Lemay was tired of seeing people in her community not receiving gifts during the season of giving.
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“Usually in Zaleski, not everyone gets a present for Christmas, so it might be a big thing for people in Zaleski to get presents for Christmas,” Haylee told WCMH.
So, she did something to make that happen.
The third grader wrote a letter to her representatives of the village council informing them of her wish to return the spirit of Christmas to their beleaguered town of 274 residents.
“To the Village of Zaleski, for this Christmas I think we should change some things around,” Haylee’s letter read. “Everyone should get one present. I think this is good for the town.”
“Everyone will get to have a Christmas this year.”
The simplicity of Haylee’s wish was just as easy as its implementation.
“To get an idea of what everyone wants, just ask, ‘what would you like for Christmas?’”
Hayley’s request was answered by village councillors.
“By the end of the council meeting we kind of put a little bit of a plan together and left it for her to do the work for it,” village councilman Craig Walkerow told WCMH.
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The little girl started gathering donations and even started a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $2,000 in its first day.
Money raised will go to help the “sick and elderly” and village residents without any family.
Hayley spearheaded the fundraising efforts, while the village council said it will support her in distributing donations.
“I never ever imagined that she would want to do anything like this,” Hayley’s mother, Stacey Lemay, told WCMH. “She is an amazing child and she has come up with a great idea to help her community out.”
Hayley said its just her small way to return the favour for all the kindness she receives the rest of the year.
“It makes me feel happy because whenever I give something to people, they always smile and say thanks,” she said.
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