Gidget's Way

How did you start your charity?

I used to go to downtown San Diego to have breakfast at my aunt's restaurant every Saturday and I would see homeless people on the street and it would make me cry. I asked my mom if I could work in a shelter handing out food. She called the shelters but they wouldn't let me work. I felt bad that I couldn't help and then I though of giving a shelter my birthday. In January of 2000 I gave my first party to a shelter. When I was there I noticed that the children didn't have much so I thought of giving them teddy bears to sleep with so they could feel secure. I also sleep with a teddy bear and it makes me feel good. So I started collecting teddy bears to give the children when they come in a shelter.

This year I collected backpacks and school supplies so they could feel good about starting school like other children do.

Where do you get your donations?

People read about my charity and give donations. I also held my first fund raiser which was a celebrity/dance. I had 12 celebrity kids signing autographs and performing for the children. I has a DJ as well.

Where do you give your bears and backpacks?

I give them to shelters. I also give my bears to the Sheriff so they can have them in their trunks. When they come across a child in need they can give him a Gidget's Way bear to hug. I also give bears to the children of Fresh Start every six weeks.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to continue giving my birthdays, bears and school supply backpacks. I would like to be able to have a fund for the shelters so they can fill a child's special needs like uniforms or shoes.

My biggest hope and dream is to someday build my own homeless shelter.

I hope to set an example so other kids can understand that its not hard to do something small and it can really make a difference in a child's life.