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Gifted Child
Aired December 12, 2003 - 15:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As a parent, you hope your kids learn the joy of giving. And Makenzie Snyder's mom and dad have annual proof that their daughter really gets it.
Since the tender age of 7, Makenzie has been collecting and distributing holiday gifts to foster children. Makenzie is buried under this mountain of stuffed animals everywhere, but her heart is plain for all to see. We're glad to have this remarkable 13-year-old here with us today.
It's so great to see you, Makenzie.
MAKENZIE SNYDER, CHILDRENTOCHILDREN.ORG: Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Makenzie Snyder.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Yes, you are, Makenzie.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Hey, listen, I know -- this is just amazing, your story. Why don't you tell us what inspired you? What made you, at such a young age, want to put together these gifts and distribute them to foster kids?
SNYDER: I met these two foster care children at a Children's World Summit in 1988. And they told me what it was like to be a foster care kid. And they told me had that they had to carry their stuff in trash bags. And I felt really sad, because I knew trash bags were for trash and not for kids to carry their stuff in. So it made me really sad.
So, when I got home, I wanted to start a project to collect duffel bags for the foster care children. And I found out that everything that they can fit in the duffel bags is what they had to take with them.
So I decided to give them a stuffed animal, like this one right here, and a book that I wrote a story in called "Chicken Soup For the Preteen Soul," and a letter from me that says: "Dear friend. Hi. My name is Makenzie Snyder. I'm 13 years old and in the seventh grade. I collect duffel bags and stuffed animals as an act of kindness for those who are in need of them. God told me that you could use a duffel bag and a stuffed animal and a cuddly friend. So I send this with love to you. I want you to always know that you're loved, especially by me, and always remember to be positive, polite and never give up. Love, your friend, Makenzie Snyder."
PHILLIPS: Makenzie, have you ever heard back any of these foster kids? Do you keep in touch with them?
SNYDER: Actually, I haven't been able to keep in touch with them. I've met a couple over the years at a foster care camp in Colorado. And that was only for a week.
But I can't -- I cannot have contact with them because they're protected by the government. But the social workers tell me that they enjoy the bags and the stuffed animals and stuff. And the reason why I give them a stuffed animal is so that, since they don't have their parents and they kind of feel lonely and stuff, I know, when I feel lonely that I always want a stuffed animal to bring with me and cuddle with and stuff and to love.
And the book is just for them to kind of see that kids can make a difference and just show them all stuff and the letters for them to show that someone actually cares about them.
PHILLIPS: Makenzie, where did you learn this? Most 13-year-olds are so caught up in themselves and other things. Where do you get this humility? Where does it come from?
SNYDER: Actually, when I was younger, my brothers and I started a project and -- for collecting -- we collect fire equipment for the fire department.
And I helped start that when I was 4 years old. And they didn't really want me to be part of it because I was so young and stuff. And we actually colored all the envelopes and stuff. And I made myself president of the art department when I was 4. And it kind of just -- all the community service for -- my mom did community service at our schools and my brothers did community service. So it kind of convinced me to actually want to do community service.
PHILLIPS: Well, Makenzie Snyder, I know you have got a Web site where people can get involved and help out and send in donations. I have to tell you, I can only hope and pray that I have a child as loving and as wonderful as you. Thank you so much for your time today.
SNYDER: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: All right, you have a wonderful holiday.
SNYDER: Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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Aired December 12, 2003 - 15:23 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: As a parent, you hope your kids learn the joy of giving. And Makenzie Snyder's mom and dad have annual proof that their daughter really gets it.
Since the tender age of 7, Makenzie has been collecting and distributing holiday gifts to foster children. Makenzie is buried under this mountain of stuffed animals everywhere, but her heart is plain for all to see. We're glad to have this remarkable 13-year-old here with us today.
It's so great to see you, Makenzie.
MAKENZIE SNYDER, CHILDRENTOCHILDREN.ORG: Hi, it's nice to meet you. I'm Makenzie Snyder.
PHILLIPS: Yes. Yes, you are, Makenzie.
(LAUGHTER)
PHILLIPS: Hey, listen, I know -- this is just amazing, your story. Why don't you tell us what inspired you? What made you, at such a young age, want to put together these gifts and distribute them to foster kids?
SNYDER: I met these two foster care children at a Children's World Summit in 1988. And they told me what it was like to be a foster care kid. And they told me had that they had to carry their stuff in trash bags. And I felt really sad, because I knew trash bags were for trash and not for kids to carry their stuff in. So it made me really sad.
So, when I got home, I wanted to start a project to collect duffel bags for the foster care children. And I found out that everything that they can fit in the duffel bags is what they had to take with them.
So I decided to give them a stuffed animal, like this one right here, and a book that I wrote a story in called "Chicken Soup For the Preteen Soul," and a letter from me that says: "Dear friend. Hi. My name is Makenzie Snyder. I'm 13 years old and in the seventh grade. I collect duffel bags and stuffed animals as an act of kindness for those who are in need of them. God told me that you could use a duffel bag and a stuffed animal and a cuddly friend. So I send this with love to you. I want you to always know that you're loved, especially by me, and always remember to be positive, polite and never give up. Love, your friend, Makenzie Snyder."
PHILLIPS: Makenzie, have you ever heard back any of these foster kids? Do you keep in touch with them?
SNYDER: Actually, I haven't been able to keep in touch with them. I've met a couple over the years at a foster care camp in Colorado. And that was only for a week.
But I can't -- I cannot have contact with them because they're protected by the government. But the social workers tell me that they enjoy the bags and the stuffed animals and stuff. And the reason why I give them a stuffed animal is so that, since they don't have their parents and they kind of feel lonely and stuff, I know, when I feel lonely that I always want a stuffed animal to bring with me and cuddle with and stuff and to love.
And the book is just for them to kind of see that kids can make a difference and just show them all stuff and the letters for them to show that someone actually cares about them.
PHILLIPS: Makenzie, where did you learn this? Most 13-year-olds are so caught up in themselves and other things. Where do you get this humility? Where does it come from?
SNYDER: Actually, when I was younger, my brothers and I started a project and -- for collecting -- we collect fire equipment for the fire department.
And I helped start that when I was 4 years old. And they didn't really want me to be part of it because I was so young and stuff. And we actually colored all the envelopes and stuff. And I made myself president of the art department when I was 4. And it kind of just -- all the community service for -- my mom did community service at our schools and my brothers did community service. So it kind of convinced me to actually want to do community service.
PHILLIPS: Well, Makenzie Snyder, I know you have got a Web site where people can get involved and help out and send in donations. I have to tell you, I can only hope and pray that I have a child as loving and as wonderful as you. Thank you so much for your time today.
SNYDER: Thank you.
PHILLIPS: All right, you have a wonderful holiday.
SNYDER: Thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
u
