Rylie Wills, 8, wanted to help do something special for kids in need this Christmas season, so with the help of her parents and the Positive Parenting Program, two children will receive gifts this holiday. Submitted photo

Rylie Wills wanted to do something different for her birthday this year.

Wills, a second-grader at Arendell Parrott, was asked by her parents what she wanted for her eighth birthday on Nov. 17, which set up an act of kindness.

“We were racking our brain trying to figure out what to get her and one day we asked what she wanted,” Megan Wills — Rylie’s mother — said. “Out of the blue, she said she wanted money and I asked why because I wasn’t sure what she wanted to spend it on. Her response was ‘I want to give the money to kids that don’t have food.’”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Rylie Wills said she felt there was a need.

“I knew there were other kids who needed help,” Wills said. “I saw a lot during the hurricane.”

The Wills worked toward putting Rylie’s plan into action and were able to find a family in need.

“We talked a little more with hopes to help someone have a good Christmas,” Megan Wills said. “We talked to a youth leader who was able to get us two boys, ages four and five. The youth leader told us their sizes clothes-wise, so we were able to buy clothes, toys and a gift card for the parent for a few things.”

Steve Roman, program director for the Positive Parenting Program, assisted the Wills in putting everything together.

“I’ve been friends with the parents for years and have a lot of Facebook posts talking about families in need,” Roman said. “I was able to let them know what the children liked for toys — in this case Spiderman, Batman, The Incredibles — and I let (the Wills’) do what they needed to shopping-wise. They brought the gifts to me and I send it off to the family.”

Rylie Wills said she hopes other people assist those in need.

“All you have to do is get out in the community and just help out,” Wills said.

If you would like to help a family in need, contact Roman at steve_roman@ncsu.edu or call him at 252-939-1300, ext. 235.