Campbell Boy Scout Wants to Give Other Local Youth a Christmas

Fifth-grader Austin Allen was looking for a service project to do for his boy scout troop: Troop 325.

When he and his parents started discussing ideas, Austin knew exactly what he wanted to do.

He kicked off a toy drive to benefit EMQ Families First.

"They don't have a Christmas like other families do," the Capri Elementary student says.

He decided EMQ was the ideal organization to benefit from his efforts because they were both local and served children.

The efforts caught the attention from neighbors and Debbi Phelps, the lady behind the Campbell Winter Wonderland on Nido Drive offered to be a drop-off location for the drive.

The drive will earn Austin his Star Rank, but his mother Allison Allen says he will walk away with much more.

"I think it is very important for the boys to participate in giving back to their community at the holidays because the kids can get caught up with wanting so much for Christmas and something like this can help them to see that there are other children who are less fortunate and that are facing hard times right in the same community," Allen says. "It also gives them an opportunity to help make a difference in their community."

Austin's Holiday Toy Drive runs through Dec. 14. Donations can be dropped off at Campbell's Winter Wonderland, 595 Nido Dr.

Suggested donations include:

• Sporting goods-basketball, football, soccerball, volleyball, kickball, etc.
• Duffle bags in neutral colors
• Non-Apple MP3 players
• Art supplies
• Journals
• Infant toys
• Musical instruments
• Action figures
• Backpacks in neutral colors