'She absolutely saved the toy drive'

By William T. Clew
                  The Catholic Free Press    

The Knights of Columbus Council at St. Bernard Church on Lincoln Street, in Worcester, part of Our Lady of Providence Parish, undertakes two programs at Christmas every year.
They collect winter coats for children who need them and toys for children who otherwise might not get any.
Robert Haran, former Grand Knight and now lecturer for the KofC at St. Bernard, said that the Knights’ toy collection program this year was in trouble. It was coming up short. There was just about a week to go before the toys were going to be distributed, and only five toys had been collected. He said he made a plea for help at Mass on Dec. 9.
That plea was answered right after Mass. Mr. Haran said that as he was headed home, Robbie and Michelle Smith of Webster, who were at the Mass, stopped him and said their daughter would be able to help with the toy drive.
And help she did.
Nine-year-old Natalie Jane Smith, a fourth-grade student at St. Joseph Elementary School in Webster, donated more than 100 toys to the campaign. Her effort put the KofC campaign over the top, Mr. Haran said.
It turned out that when Mr. Haran made his plea for help, he did not know that Natalie had already started collecting for St. Bernard’s. On her Facebook page, weallbelong2017, a message dated Nov. 27 said:
“My toy fundraiser this year will be supporting the community of St Bernard’s Church in Worcester. We are in need of new, unwrapped toys, for all age groups. Toys can be dropped off in Webster (PM me for the address) or we can pick them up. If you prefer, you can send us a donation via PayPal or check, and we will buy toys with the money. Any questions, email us at weallbelong2017@gmail.com.”
“She absolutely saved the toy drive,” Mr. Haran said.
Natalie’s Facebook entry Dec. 17 thanked those who helped. It reads:
“Hi thanks so much to everyone that donated toys. It means a lot and will make many kids happy on Christmas morning. I’ll be delivering them tomorrow to St. Bernard‘s Church of Our Lady of Providence Parish. Love, Natalie.”    
This was not the first time Natalie has helped people who need it. She has been doing it for a couple of years, according to her mother. When Natalie was in the third grade, Mrs. Smith said, her teacher showed the class a video about St. Francis of Assisi.
When Natalie came home from school, her mother said, she began to gather personal items, put together packages and, with her mother, went out and gave them to people who are homeless.
“She’s always looking for people she can help,” her mother said. “She wants to be with people and talk to them and hold their hands. She wants people to feel loved. She says that everyone deserves a second chance.”
“I know that when people are hurting I want to comfort them,” Natalie said.
 One homeless woman, who has since passed away, whom Natalie befriended, carried a picture of them together and used to show it to friends.
Last year Natalie and her family put together 17  Thanksgiving baskets and distributed  them to  people who needed them. This year that increased to 37 baskets. They were given to people in Worcester, Dudley, Webster, Southbridge, and Putnam and Thompson, Connecticut.
The baskets contained canned goods and other non-perishables that go with a Thanksgiving dinner. And, when the baskets are about to be distributed, turkeys ready for cooking are added.
The giving does not stop with Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the year, from time to time, Natalie, with her parents’ help, give clothing, food or whatever else they can to the homeless. She said her parents and her friends are very supportive.
People may help by going to the Facebook page or by emailing: weallbelong2017@gmail.com. They can donate goods or money. The money will be used to buy items to be given away.