A Plainville woman is embodying the spirit of Christmas and proving that paying it forward really does inspire other people to do the same.
Erica Donovan won $3,000 to spend at Disney from her work as a Thirty-One consultant and, instead of paying for a vacation or going to a theme park with her family, she spent all the money buying toys for charity last month and donated them all to Toys for Tots.
Disney was inspired by the story on NBC Connecticut, matched Donovan’s donation and called her last week to let her know. On Friday, she went on another $3,000 shopping spree for Toys for Tots with that donation.
But as Erica was shopping at the Disney store with her daughter, friends and the Marine Corps, mall employees from Westfarms surprised her with another $3,000 donation to buy gifts across the mall for children this holiday season.
The giving was so inspiring that people at the mall to shop started donating gifts and money themselves.
Seeing the spirit of giving, Legos has joined in the charity and added another $3,000 donation of toys to go to Toys For Tots.
Erica, overwhelmed with emotion, said she hopes these good needs continue to inspire people to pay it forward this holiday season.
If you’re inspired, take part in the NBC Connecticut Toy Drive tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 9, at Westfarms.
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It is going on from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be donation locations outside the store as well as inside, so you do not have to get out of your car during the snow.
