9-year-old Centralia girl creates toy drive to give Christmas to other kids

While many children eagerly await the delivery of gifts from Santa on Christmas Eve, come children already got a delivery from one of Santa’s helpers: 9-year-old Lexie Bousquet of Centralia.

Lexie said she decided she wanted to start a toy drive for children who are less fortunate.

“I wanted to do something to help others,” Lexie told ABC 17 News. “I handed out fliers and everybody just started helping.”

Lexie’s family said they couldn’t be more proud.

“It’s so good to see everybody’s reaction when she brings their toys and they just seem so happy, and it just makes our hearts melt because we’re so proud of her too,” said Lorie Bousquet, mother of Lexie.

This year, Lexie collected 155 toys and delivered them Monday. Last year, she collected 334 toys.

“We are just so proud of her and we really hope that she just continues this throughout her life,” her mother said.

Lexie told ABC 17 News she loves the feeling she has when she’s helping other people.

“I feel really good and was just smiling the whole time,” she said.

Some of the toys Lexie collected were donated to Rainbow House in Columbia and others were delivered to hospitals for sick kids who will have to spend Christmas there.

Bousquet family members said being able to help out this time of the year is something they’re thankful they’re able to do.