NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - One nine-year-old boy from California is concentrating more on who is being left out than on what is under his own tree now that the holiday season has begun.
The Ace of Hearts Project's founder, Ace Christopherson, has been gathering toys for foster kids who might not get as many on Christmas morning for the past few years. He got the idea after discovering that some children don't receive a Santa visit.
"I wanted to give toys to foster kids because Saint Nick gives toys to kids, but not really to the foster kids," Ace said.
The group also organizes a letter-writing program for senior citizens. This Christmas, the Ace of Hearts Project plans to send letters to senior homes across Little Rock for the very first time.
"Writing the letters and seeing them read the letters, and their smiles go on their faces because kids say the darndest things," Ace's dad Bob Bilbruck said.
The idea has grown into a nationwide nonprofit. Children all around the nation now receive toys, letters, and care packages from the Ace of Hearts Project.
According to Ace, he wants to be "Santa for kids who need it most."
He is not working alone; a full board of kids under the age of twelve run the project. A new initiative by the foundation asks children to donate one dollar of their allowance to aid others.
"That's a recent initiative our whole board came up with," Bilbruck said. "Our board is all kids that are 11 and under. It's a fully founded and run kid charity."
More information about the Ace of Hearts Project can be found on the organization's website and Facebook page.