CRESTVIEW — Two North Okaloosa girls are demonstrating the season of giving.
Lilly Shaffer, of Crestview, and Railey Conner, of Holt, have different ways of going about it, but their goal is the same: to help the community's neediest residents.
TOYS FOR SALES
Lilly, 6, a first-grader at Bob Sikes Elementary, is selling Classic Cookie Dry Mix for a school fundraiser.
Products, all of which cost $14, include Chocolate Chip Mix, White Chocolate Macadamia Mix, Sugar Cookie Mix, Oatmeal Raisin Mix M&M Mix and Triple Chocolate Mix.
The dry mix is an alternative to frozen cookie dough; home chefs can store it for up to a year and just add eggs and butter when they're ready to prepare it, according to Charleston Wrap, the fundraiser's vendor.
But this fundraiser has a twist. Not only will Lilly's sales benefit Bob Sikes; they also will indirectly help needy military families.
That's because, for each sale, the Shaffers are donating one toy for Operation Homefront. The 2014 toy drive, affiliated with the Dollar Tree, distributes toys and gift cards to junior listed military families, according to its website.
That, Lilly said, motivates her to sell more cookie mix.
"There are so many kids out there that don't have anything and we have everything," Lilly said. "I just want all the kids to have a toy this year so they can be happy, too".
SHARED BIRTHDAY
Over the past three years, Railey undoubtedly has received more birthday gifts than any other child in North Okaloosa, or even Northwest Florida.
That's because the 13-year-old asks people to give her items that can benefit local nursing home residents.
This year, Railey's Birthday Project seeks the following items:
•Slippers and no-slip socks
•Music CDs, preferably oldies
•Men's and women's body wash
•Shampoo and conditioner
•Costume jewelry
•Playing cards
•Blankets
•Winter hats such as beanies
•Art supplies
"I want to make sure our elderly residents know they are valued and not forgotten," Railey said in her 14th Birthday Project flyer.
HOW TO HELP
Click here, type 588307 in the "Student One" text field and then click Continue to buy the cookie mix. The Shaffer family will donate a toy to Operation Homefront, which benefits families with junior enlisted military service members, for every sale.
See "Railey's 14th Birthday Project" on Facebook to contribute supplies for nursing home residents. Drop-off locations include Freedom Tax, 417 Stillwell Blvd., and Leon's Barber Shop, 380 N. Main St., Crestview
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview, Holt girls think of others for the holidays