Man Who Grew Up In Poverty Returns To Hometown To Donate $12,000 Worth Toys To Children In Need

Dec 17, 2019 by apost team

Children from low-income households often have a rough time at Christmas. In our materialistic world, children are inundated with new products to buy, whether it be traditional items like Barbie dolls and action figures or more modern products like tablet computers. Adults who grew up in these types of households further seem to have a special place in their hearts for children, as exemplified in the actions of a man from Virginia.

35-year-old Adam Armstrong grew up in Harrisonburg in the state’s poverty-stricken Shenandoah Valley. Adam lived a difficult life in his youth, even spending some time in jail for selling drugs. It was in jail that Adam turned his life around and has since devoted himself to the service of others. To help the kids of his hometown overcome holiday blues associated with not having anything under the tree at Christmas, Adam loaded up a truck with $12,000 worth of toys and brought it to low-income housing developments in Harrisonburg. Adam’s first stop was Harris Gardens Apartments, a Section-8 housing development in the town.

apost.com

Sara Lewis-Weeks, the property manager of Harris Gardens, was a little skeptical when Adam told her of his plans to distribute toys at the facility. At first, Sara thought that Adam intended to donate a few stuffed animals and generic toy dolls. Sara was shocked when she saw what Adam brought to Harris Gardens the following weekend. Wearing a Santa hat, Adam gave the children of the facility the Christmas they dreamed of as he came with bikes, dolls, Nerf guns, and much more. When every child at Harris Gardens got a toy, Adam traveled to three other low-income housing apartments nearby and did the same thing, ending his day by giving what remained on the truck to the Salvation Army.

Parents at the apartment complexes that Adam donated toys to have since praised him for his generosity on social media, calling him a real-life Santa Claus. Speaking with reporters from NBC News, Adam says that he leads a blessed life and simply wants to spread joy this holiday season. Now a resident of Penn Laird, Virginia, Adam says that he remembers Harrisonburg as a nice town, but one filled with drugs and crime. Adam further adds that he has been organizing mass donations like the one he did this year since 2013 and knows full well how difficult Christmas time can be for kids living in poverty.

What do you think of Adam’s act of generosity? What charities or organizations do you like to donate to during the holidays? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to others … who knows, it might inspire someone!