BAKERSFIELD,CA -- In October we introduced you to eight-year-old Jaxon Evans who was selling Kool-Aid to raise money to buy toys for homeless children. He said his goal was to raise $50 every time he set up his Kool-Aid stand. Fast forward two months, 20 gallons of Kool-Aid and $3,300 dollars raised Jaxon got to see his idea for charity come to life on Sunday.
"Because I am kinda like Santa too,” Jaxon said. “I wanted to be Santa because there are kids who are saying ‘Hey Santa Claus can I have a hug?' and I actually gave him a hug and he was happy."
When Jaxon initially came up with the idea of selling Kool-Aid and using the money to buy toys for homeless children his mother, Alandra Evans, was not exactly in favor of the idea.
"I thought he wanted to buy himself something,” Evans said. “It was summertime , it was hot and too much trouble and a lot of work so I told him no."
Johnny Jimenez has nine children with him and is glad Jaxon persevered. Though he is taken aback that such a thoughtful idea came from an eight year old.
"That is amazing, that is exciting,” Jimenez said. “My kids see that and it boosts them up. No matter how old you are or how young you are things can happen that are good. He did a good thing."
Jessica Jimenez, 12, is one of Johnny Jimenez's children.
"I feel excited to get a toy and happy for the little kids getting their toys," Jessica said.
Jaxson's story has made news nationally on websites like Yahoo which prompted an increase in donations. It also inspired Jennifer David to volunteer and make balloon animals for the children.
"We wanted to come out and show our hearts and have some fun with the kids,” David said. “We showed them how to twist balloons and we kept it popping in here. It was a lot of fun."
Even though Jaxon’s mom was not on board with his idea at first she now has a hard time keeping her emotions in check after seeing the culmination of her son's work.
"The smiles on these kids faces and them running around and playing and all the happiness that is in this room with the parents,” Evans said. “How can I not want to do something like this and help him with this next year. I am so proud."
Jaxon has already thought about next year. He has plans to raise money with a dog wash.
"Because I am kinda like Santa too,” Jaxon said. “I wanted to be Santa because there are kids who are saying ‘Hey Santa Claus can I have a hug?' and I actually gave him a hug and he was happy."
When Jaxon initially came up with the idea of selling Kool-Aid and using the money to buy toys for homeless children his mother, Alandra Evans, was not exactly in favor of the idea.
"I thought he wanted to buy himself something,” Evans said. “It was summertime , it was hot and too much trouble and a lot of work so I told him no."
Johnny Jimenez has nine children with him and is glad Jaxon persevered. Though he is taken aback that such a thoughtful idea came from an eight year old.
"That is amazing, that is exciting,” Jimenez said. “My kids see that and it boosts them up. No matter how old you are or how young you are things can happen that are good. He did a good thing."
Jessica Jimenez, 12, is one of Johnny Jimenez's children.
"I feel excited to get a toy and happy for the little kids getting their toys," Jessica said.
Jaxson's story has made news nationally on websites like Yahoo which prompted an increase in donations. It also inspired Jennifer David to volunteer and make balloon animals for the children.
"We wanted to come out and show our hearts and have some fun with the kids,” David said. “We showed them how to twist balloons and we kept it popping in here. It was a lot of fun."
Even though Jaxon’s mom was not on board with his idea at first she now has a hard time keeping her emotions in check after seeing the culmination of her son's work.
"The smiles on these kids faces and them running around and playing and all the happiness that is in this room with the parents,” Evans said. “How can I not want to do something like this and help him with this next year. I am so proud."
Jaxon has already thought about next year. He has plans to raise money with a dog wash.