Appomattox boy has a heart for giving at Christmas

Sometimes the best of the human race can be found in the heart of a child.

Five-year-old Caleb O'Brien, of Appomattox, found a desire in his heart to help disadvantaged children this year by collecting money for the local Toys for Tots charity.

O'Brien was a bell ringer last winter for the Salvation Army at Christmas time and said he enjoyed the ringing the bell so much that he wanted to do it again this year.

However, the Salvation Army did not come to Appomattox this year. That didn't stop O'Brien from ringing a bell though. One day when he was outside, the idea of ringing a bell in his own driveway came into his mind. Instead of a Salvation Army bell, it would be his family's "Raider Cowbell" used at Appomattox Raiders high school athletic events.

After standing outside one afternoon recently with his mother and little sisters for only one pre-scheduled hour, and benefitting from a Facebook post that went viral locally, a nice chunk of money - over $600 in-person and electronically - was raised for Toys for Tots by generous donors.

Find out more in the upcoming issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.