KNOX COUNTY, Ill. — Two Knox County girls are hard at work this holiday season to make sure dozens have a Merry Christmas.
It's part of the 'Junk 4 Jingles' organization by the Mayfield family of Knoxville, Illinois.
"It's never something I thought I'd be doing, but one thing led to another," father Eric Mayfield said.
Sisters Baylie, 11, and Harper, 6, are behind turning in scrap metal to buy Christmas gifts for kids in need.
"It makes me feel good that a lot of the kids get Christmas presents that maybe would not," Baylie said.
This is the fourth year the young entrepreneurs are helping serve their community. The crew recently became an officially-established 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
"I can not imagine being a kid and getting zero things, so it just makes me happy," Harper said.
News 8 has followed the girl's efforts over the years after they earned the Pay It Forward award in 2021.
“They’ve learned from speaking on the phone, calling people back, asking the right questions, the address,” Eric said.
They first started out supporting 38 kids in Knox County, but now they've set a goal of 135 this year.
"I never would have guessed that it would have been four times that in just a few years," Eric said.
Galesburg resident Kari Haneghan, who donated scrap, did not waste any time reaching out for service.
"Who would have thought to do that at that age? Haneghan said. "I sent them a Facebook message, instantly in two hours, they replied. And it's an easy way for us to get rid of our stuff to benefit the girls and our community."
They're now starting to head to the store with their mother and begin shopping for children on the Galesburg Salvation Army Angel Tree wish list.
To learn more about Junk 4 Jingles or make a donation, check out the Facebook page by clicking/tapping here. You can also now show your support through electronic donations as well by clicking/tapping here.
The service extends up to roughly 20 miles from the Knoxville, Illinois area, depending on the amount of items.
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