DORCHESTER COUNTY, SC (WTOL) – An 8-year-old boy is using his life savings to help a family in need this Christmas. The boy's holiday spirit is spreading throughout his town.
With a few more pieces of tape, one final present will be ready for a family that lost everything in a mobile home fire just a week ago. Third-grader Fischer Cook decided he wanted to help fellow South Carolina school mates who no longer had a place to live.
"I found out their house burned down and I decided to give them my $300 dollars in my bank account," said Fischer Cook.
Fischer's mother, Michelle, said she was – to say the least – proud of her son when he told her what he wanted to do with his hard-earned honor roll and birthday money.
"For him to want to give that up and do something good with it really pleased me," said Michelle Cook.
Last week a nearby mobile home caught on fire. A single mother of three boys lived there along with the woman's mother and handicapped brother. Cook said she knew the family would need a bit more help and spread the word about Fischer's mission of kindness. She said community members helped to match his Christmas donation. After a few hours at a local Walmart and helping hands wrapping gifts, the presents were ready to go.
"We got him light sabers and an air high sky gun," said Fischer Cook.
Fischer's mother said he is excited about giving gifts to the family, but hopes he will always remember the spirit of giving.
"Christmas is not just about presents you get. It's doing kind things for others and that if you do kind things for others and that if you do good deeds in life it will come back to you," said Michelle Cook.
The Cook family raised about $1,000 total for the gifts from the community, all from the inspiration of a little boy with a big heart.