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Three-year-old Max Ford of Norwalk has turned a life lesson into a toy-giving opportunity for needy children with disabilities. Maxs dad, Chris, and mom, Eileen Crispell Ford, used the children's book "The Dragonfly Door" to help Max understand death after the family experienced a number of losses recently, including that of a grandmother. The book explains death through the lifecycle of the dragonfly, which leaves its marsh home for dry land upon maturity, never to return to the family nest.
"Max now considers [those who have died] dragonflies," Eileen said. "He said, 'Let's have a dragonfly birthday party for grandma Ruby.' "
Rather than a traditional party with gifts, Max chose as part of the observance to give toys he no longer played with to children who do not have many toys.
Familiar with the needs of Abilis Max's aunt, Suzanne Ford, is an early-intervention teacher with Abilis Youth Services the family decided to donate toys to young children with delays in their development or developmental disabilities who are supported by Abilis' Birth to Three program. Formerly known as ARC, the nonprofit Abilis (pronounced ABLE-ISS) serves hundreds of Stamford and Greenwich families who have very young children with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities, as well as delays in their development that may be either physical or cognitive -- or both.
The family invited Max's preschool classmates at A Child's Place in Westport to join them. The response was gratifying, Eileen said. The preschool and daycare provider encouraged the effort and helped put Eileen in touch with parents of Max's classmates.
"We explained in a letter that we were collecting used toys for children 3 and under and taking them to Abilis," she said. "Most families gave at least one toy and one woman filled my car."
Max was pleased with the results. Some of the donated toys were so terrific that he might have liked to keep them for himself. That was hard for him. But Max ultimately did what he said he would and donated every toy to Abilis (www.abilis.us). Earlier this month, Max said goodbye to the toys as he, his 2-year-old sister, Chloe, and their mom dropped the toys off at the parent resource library in Abilis' Stamford office on Summer Street.
"This would be a wonderful donation from anyone, but the fact that it came from a 3-year-old is really remarkable and greatly appreciated," said Abilis Executive Director Lolli Ross.
Minutes after they left, Abilis Birth to Three therapists, teachers and case managers began scouring the room for toys that would help build skills and confidence in children they support from poor families. Stacking toys, sorting toys, building toys, puzzles and riding toys all were expected to be snatched up quickly. Abilis accepts donations of new and gently used toys for needy families during the year-end holidays through a toy drive that has been supported in recent years by St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford.
Do you know a youngster who has stepped up to help a charity? Start the discussion below!
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