What if there were a children’s organization that existed for the sole purpose of helping others? Ashley Hotsinpiller has been pondering that very concept.

 

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I wasn’t sure how to get it started or how it would be perceived,” she said.

 

Back in August, the mother of three young boys - Landon, 7; Liam, 5 and Logan, 1 - ran the idea past some other moms and upon their enthusiastic approval, "Kids G.I.V.E. Back" was born. Currently about 25 mothers and their children are working together to carry out service projects; all in which the children are actively involved.

 

With the organization just a few months old, members have joined forces to host a small clothing drive for a local school, pack shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child and put a new spin on a Halloween tradition. At this year’s Johnson Elementary School Trunk or Treat, students stopped by the Kids G.I.V.E. Back vehicle; not to get a treat, but rather to leave one.

 

“We had sent home a flyer, asking people to fill our trunk with non-perishable items,” Hotsinpiller said. “It was a huge success. We weren’t expecting that.”

 

Young members of the organization will use those food items to put together baskets which will be distributed at Thanksgiving time to local families.

 

“We’re working through six different elementary schools and packing two baskets per school,” Hotsinpiller said. “Our goal is 12 meals, but if we can do more, that’s great.”

 

It’s not too late to donate to this project. Collections are still ongoing at Benedum Civic Center and Studio 9 Dance Academy, both located on West Main Street, Bridgeport. (See flyer with wish on this page.)

 

The first Kids G.I.V.E. Back project was simple, but very worthwhile.

 

“It was our first meeting back in August and we asked everyone to bring a few items from their kids’ closets that they had outgrown,” Hotsinpiller said. “One of our moms is a teacher at Adamston Elementary, so we held a mini clothing drive to start kids off to school.”

With that gesture, the organization started with the goal to implement various projects throughout the year.

 

“We want to show the kids the importance of giving back to the community in all different ways,” said Hotsinpiller, explaining that the G.I.V.E. in the organization name stands for “Get Involved, Value Everyone.”

 

The September activity was packing the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. Other projects in the works are an activity honoring law enforcement during National Police Week, a service project with the Humane Society of Harrison County, gathering blankets for WVU Children’s Hospital and visiting residents of a local personal care home.

 

Hotsinpiller said she and other organizers encourage parents and children in other communities to form similar groups. In fact, they would like to start a movement, she said. Locally, they invite others to get on board.

“Parents with kids or grandparents and their grandchildren are encouraged to get involved,” she said.  

 

Activities are ideal for kids age 5 and up, but all with a passion to serve are welcome.

 

“You don’t have to participate in every project. If you can do one month and not the next, that’s OK,” Hotsinpiller said. “We encourage people to come when they can. When we do something you are passionate about and you can help that month, you can just jump in.”

 

Project ideas come from the member kids and moms. Eight women head up the group, serving as organizers. Among them is Jacyln Belcastro, who said she was quite excited to get involved.

 

“Kids G.I.V.E. Back, I felt, was the perfect opportunity to help teach my children the importance of giving, not receiving,” said Belcastro, mother of 7-year-old Maleia, 6-year-old Mya and 4-year-old Julian. “For example, I noticed my children had a few incidences they weren’t very ‘grateful’ for what they got and it bothered me a lot. When I received my first phone call about joining alongside Ashley with this organization, I knew God was speaking to me!”

 

Teaching children the valuable lesson of giving – having a servant’s heart - is one of the most rewarding things parents can give their children, Belcastro said.

 

“The very first time I had my daughters serve at our local Mission was very eye opening to me,” she said. “They loved it! I have learned that children love to serve. We just have to give them opportunities.”

 

Teaching the importance of giving instills a sense of pride and self-esteem, character traits that will grow right along with the children, Belcastro said.

 

Raising up a generation of servant leaders isn’t easy, but getting kids involved early helps to slowly sway their hearts from selfishness to selflessness and make them more aware of how truly blessed they are, she said.

 

The most recent meeting was held Friday at Simpson Creek Baptist Church community building. Depending upon service project and organizer, meetings are held in various locations throughout the community. Those wanting to join forces can contact Kids G.I.V.E. Back through the organization’s Facebook page, where more information can be found.

 

“If everybody does a little, we can make a big difference,” Hotsinpiller said.