Lydia, a second grade student from Kouts Elementary School, is a Valpo Life in the Spotlight because she wanted to reach out and help others in need by sharing her eighth birthday with Housing Opportunities.
“For her eighth birthday celebration, Lydia decided that instead of gifts for herself, she would like to receive gifts for a local food pantry. Lydia chose to bring paper products to help fill the shelves in our pantry. We are so appreciative of her sacrifice. She is a superstar at the pantry! Thank you, Lydia, and Happy Birthday to you! YOU ROCK!!” Housing Opportunities stated.
Lydia said the reason she wanted to give to others instead of receiving gifts for herself was that she already had everything she needed.
“I already had a lot of things and I’m fine with everything I already have; I have enough. I wanted to give things to other people to make sure they had what they needed,” she said.
Lydia had just turned eight years old on Feb. 9 when guests arrived for her birthday party bringing dry good for the Housing Opportunities pantry. Some of the items she received were: shampoos, laundry detergent, toilet paper, dishwashing soap, soap and paper towels.
Lydia said that she did not have a list of items for partygoers to purchase, but that her mother put on her party invitation that instead of birthday presents for Lydia, she would rather receive items like paper towels and toilet paper for Housing Opportunities.
Lydia received presents from her friends and family anyway for being so giving and self-sacrificing.
“People brought awesome presents anyway and I was like ‘Thank You!’ even though, I didn’t expect it, it made me happy,” Lydia said.
The idea for donating to the Housing Opportunities dry pantry for Lydia’s birthday came about when Christy, Lydia’s mom was talking with a friend, Robyn Walsworth at Calvary Church in Valparaiso. Walsworth told Christy that sometimes her children receive gifts for the dry pantry instead of toys and then donate the items to others in need. Christy loved the idea and shared the idea with her daughter.
When asked to receive gifts for Housing Opportunities instead of herself, Lydia right away loved the idea.
Lydia said to her mom, “That’s a good idea, I really like that.”
Christy said the reason behind helping others is that the love God has created in us to have a love for his people.
“What a great sacrifice God has given us; the sacrifice of his son and to care for widows and orphans,” Christy said. “This was not a work thing, this was something we wear on our heart, but it really is a result of what God has done for us and he has created a love for his people in our heart.”
Sharing that sentiment with her parents Christy and Josh, a Pastor at Calvary Church, Lydia wanted to give because of the love she has for others.
“It made me feel good because I was helping people and doing good things and I think it would be fun to do again.”
Sharing her birthday with those in need at Housing Opportunities is why Lydia is this week’s Valpo Life in the Spotlight.
Photo provided by Housing Opportunities