Ask a child what he or she wants for Christmas, and most have a specific (and long) list. I hear that the sold-out toy this year is an electric hamster.

Jacob, an 8-year-old boy from California, wrote to World Vision about the list he made this Christmas—a special kind of list. Jacob sponsors a child in Bangladesh. After receiving the World Vision gift catalog, Jacob told us, “I wrote down the animals I wanted to buy. I asked mom if she would go with me around the block to collect donations.”

Jacob’s mom, Kimberly, said she was hesitant for Jacob to ask neighbors for donations, but, “If God put this on his heart, I can’t stop him.” She didn’t think they’d get much. She watched on the sidewalk while Jacob went up to the door. He told them about World Vision and the special animals he’d selected from the catalog.

Jacob collected $1,875.

As parents, we want our kids to have a heart for giving, and a heart for being grateful for what they are given. One of the greatest joys of working at World Vision is to see how God gives our donors a desire to give to the poor. It’s what God did long ago in my heart, and I see it everyday in our donors, whether they have the means to give a few dollars or a million.

What does your Christmas list look like? If you are still looking for meaningful gifts, check out our gift catalog at www.worldvisiongifts.org.