DEARBORN HEIGHTS (WXYZ) — A Dearborn Heights man is doing whatever he can to make sure kids in need have a merry Christmas. Kenneth Isaacson is only 19 years old and this is his third year donating toys.
This year’s goal means he will need a bigger sleigh.
Isaacson’s nickname is "Kid Santa." He was born in Russia and brought to the U.S. as an orphan.
In 2018, he wanted to make a difference for kids at a homeless shelter.
“I spent Christmas morning with other people who are less fortunate as well, so I wouldn’t have to be alone and it just stuck with me," Isaacson said.
He has also bought presents for children at a hospital. This year, he has a goal to buy gifts for more than 500 kids in metro Detroit.
“Among the families I’m helping, they’ve lost jobs, they have lost loved ones, they lost businesses,” he said.
Isaacson works as an EMT and uses money from that to raise funds for toys.
“I donate an entire day of pay each week. I also donate plasma two times a week,” Isaacson said.
If donating blood isn’t hard enough, he’s made financial cuts in his life to fund this mission. He is hoping other people will be inspired to help too.
“There’s more families struggling this year than last year and the year before that and that is because of COVID,” Isaacson said.
This "Kid Santa" says it is important to make a difference and spread some holiday cheer.
“I feel Christmas’s in my own life where I was exactly where these kids are and I want things to change for them the same way I wish something would have, been like that for myself,” Isaacson said.
If you want donate to help with the mission, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/kid-santa-of-metro-detroit
