Trystin McGuire, left, with his mother, Janel Conrad, right.
The compassion of a local 6-year-old has led one Hatfield family to help area children learn the value of helping others via a winter clothing drive for the less fortunate, going on now through Dec. 3 at Lansdale Tavern.
"It was totally my son’s inspiration that triggered us to help,” said Janel Conrad.
One evening a few weeks back, Conrad was washing dishes, and her children and her boyfriend’s children were getting ready for bed. Suddenly, her son — Trystin McGuire, an A.M. Kulp elementary student — walked into the kitchen with his backpack on.
"I asked him, ‘Where are you going on this school night at 9:30 p.m.?’ and he replied with tears rolling down his face, ‘I want to help others in need.’ As a mom, my heart was overflowing,” she said.
Inside his backpack, Trystin had stuffed coloring books, crayons, socks to help keep people warm, and lollipops to help with their hunger.
"It’s amazing a 6-year-old is thinking of that. We cleaned out his room and gave the items to people that needed it,” she said. "My 10-year-old hoards everything, but what 6-year-old does this?”
Conrad knew this was an opportunity to do something and start a family tradition.
"This is such a beautiful thing for all of my children — a 12 year old, 10 year old, 6 year old and 8 year old — to be a part of,” she said. "We are a blended family. We can participate in this together and they can see how good they have it and what others go through.”
Thus, Conrad reached out to her friend, Lansdale Tavern owner Julie Palermo, and asked them to partner with the drive.
"She was so inspired that a 6-year-old thought of this, she said absolutely and didn’t think twice,” Conrad said.
Initially, the Conrad family wanted to pass out socks, gloves, blankets, and the like to the homeless in Philadelphia, but Conrad knew there were local homeless people that needed help.
Conrad is still seeking an organization or nonprofit that would be the recipient of the clothing drive.
There are two other locations helping the Conrads in their efforts — Picker’s Junction in Sellersville and Bagel Barn in Chalfont. You can find donation boxes at all the locations.
Items being accepted include new blankets, gloves, hats, socks, and scarves. The goal is to keep 100 people warm, Conrad said.
"I am hoping this becomes a family tradition,” Conrad said. "It melted my heart.”
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