Farmington toddler already learning importance of paying it forward
On his first birthday, Dominic Brooks didn’t receive many presents, but, because of him, many others will.
To mark the special occasion, his parents asked family and friends to give to charity instead.
“We want to make sure he realizes the value of a birthday is a celebration of the last year and his life rather than an opportunity to get stuff,” said Kristen Brooks. “We wanted him to learn to appreciate what he has and to be generous and give back to others.”
Dominic Brooks is the only child of Colby and Kristen Brooks of Farmington. The couple was happy to mark their son’s first birthday.
“He’s wonderful,” said Kristen Brooks. “He’s walking and into everything.”
So they decided to host a party on their farm, holding it in the barn which they decorated with a fall theme that included pumpkins. They offered hayrides and a band.
“It was a great time,” Kristen Brooks said.
But the couple realized that Dominic Brooks would receive presents from them and his grandparents.
“We’re lucky enough that we both have good jobs and can provide for him,” remarked Kristen Brooks. “We want to teach him to give back when you can.”
So the couple decided to ask their guests to help others.
“We put on the invitations that in lieu of presents, we asked them to bring a winter item that we could donate to charity,” explained Kristen Brooks. “They thought it was a great idea. Everyone was really excited and they brought a lot of stuff.”
Altogether, the guests donated 21 coats, 47 hats and 60 sets of gloves — all new items of various sizes.
“It was a little overwhelming,” Brooks said of their guests’ generosity.
The family decided to donate the items to CPP Behavioral Health Inc., which is located at 253 S. Mount Vernon Ave. in Uniontown, and provides outpatient behavioral health and drug-and-alcohol services for people of all ages.
Kate Chiplaskey, a therapist with the agency, said, “I was so impressed with the idea. I thought it spoke highly of the parents who want to instill values in their children at an early age.”
Chiplaskey said the agency operates clothing drives a couple of times a year to help clients and their families.
“This made a huge impact,” Chiplaskey said of the Brooks’ donation. “It makes us proud to be part of a community that gives back like that. I don’t know if they realize how many families they have impacted by their donations.”