PADUCAH- When 9-year-old Gigi Straley told her parents she wanted to help other kids they told her they would help.

 "I like to give so I thought maybe we could give books and maybe stuffed animals to children that need them or need something to hold onto," she said. 

When she told her parents she wanted to collect more than just what she found at her house, they suggested she ask people at their church, St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Straley started with Pastor Aaron Stamper who happens to be a board member at Paducah Cooperative Ministries.

Stamper got her in touch with Sheila Forrest, the director for PCM's shelter.

"I was surprised and thrilled to know about it because we are about out of stuffed animals and books," said Forrest. "So the timing is perfect."

During the month of August, Straley collected more than 400 books and stuffed animals.

"I didn't realize how much people had and I didn't realize that this church could give so many," she said.

Stamper didn't realize how contagious the Straley's giving spirit would be.

"When she got up there to tell them about how many we raised, there wasn't a single person there not smiling." he said. "you could tell it meant so much to see a young person really engaged in the community and seeing a place where we can all help. It was tremendous."

After all of the boxes were unloaded Friday, Straley said she's ready to do it all over again. This time she's reaching even higher.

"I might try this again at school. my school is big and I think we could deliver a lot more," she said. 

Her parents and pastor agree that in the meantime, she's delivering an important message, that giving is better than receiving. 

"It makes me feel happy. It makes me feel good to give something to someone else," Straley said.