FOR B-DAY KINDRED BOY CHOOSES TO GIVE - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

FOR B-DAY KINDRED BOY CHOOSES TO GIVE

You only turn 6-years-old once. That's probably why kids get so excited about the party and of course, the presents. But a Kindred boy surprised everyone when he told his folks that he didn't want presents. He wanted to help other kids who go without.

Today Valley News Live met up with the boy and his family to find out how a little giving is better than any gift.

Every year the United Way of Cass-Clay has a school supply drive where they assemble over 45 hundred backpacks and school supplies necessary for kids who could use them in the region. Today they had one of their youngest volunteers ever.

Jameson McCarvel is just 5, he'll be going into kindergarten this fall. At that age his folks expected a different response to what he really wanted for his birthday in September. But he asked if he could give gifts to others.

His parents were the most surprised. "We were shocked by it. We always try to tell him how fortunate he is. He has a lot of stuff other kids don't and we try to put it in perspective of what we're able to give and what some other kids aren't able to get. So maybe he does listen to us, I guess he does." Said his dad, Kevin McCarvel.

Today Jameson, his mom and dad took the day to get backpacks ready for kids K through 12 throughout Cass and Clay county. They brought a heap of supplies that need to organized, that could have been an awesome birthday present. But instead it became an opportunity for all of us to realize how even the best gifts, can come in small packages.

"For me being able to look up to my six year old and say I'm proud of you. That's a great thing to be able to say. And we are very proud of what he's decided to do cause you always hope in time that your child will be a good person and steward for everyone else. But not expecting at before six years old that he would be this way, so we're very proud of him," said McCarvel.

You can follow Jameson's lead by donating some school supplies to local kids now. The Cass-Clay United Way will continue collecting backpacks and all the stuff that goes in them through august 10th.

Just drop school supplies off at all Gate City Banks, Walmarts, West Acres Mall, or the Fargodome.