8-year-old eschews presents, insists upon shelter donation

Alexandra LaCour, who is donating money that would have been spent on her presents, listens to Mayor Dave Norris talk about People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, which provides shelter for homeless people.

By: Brandon Shulleeta | The Daily Progress
Published: December 20, 2008

For many children, nothing’s more exciting than waking up on Christmas morning to a sea of presents.

But 8-year-old Alexandra LaCour isn’t expecting any gifts this year.

Instead, with a pink hair bow and a smile wide enough to reveal a missing tooth, the young Charlottesville resident handed over the money that would have been spent on her presents to a city homeless shelter.

In November, Alexandra said, her mother asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Alexandra couldn’t think of anything and said that instead she wanted to give something to a homeless shelter.

She said that her mother asked her “a million times” if she was going to be sad on Christmas morning, yet Alexandra’s mother insisted that if she wants the donation to be her present, she won’t get anything else.

“I picked this,” Alexandra said. “I really hope it makes someone else’s Christmas better.”

On Friday, Alexandra learned about People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry, a local interfaith group of congregations and community partners that provides shelter for homeless people. She cocked her head back and looked up at Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris as he answered her questions about PACEM and showed her where homeless people eat and sleep at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

“PACEM. That’s a good name,” she said softly, with a smile.

Norris explained how PACEM, with the help of donations, provides food and shelter for people who are less fortunate. “It’s thanks to people like you who make it all possible,” he said.

Alexandra walked into a separate room filled with a dozen cots and blankets.

She asked Norris why men and women slept in different rooms.

“Well, that’s a really good question,” Norris said, glancing up for a brief moment and then gently explaining that some women have had bad experiences with men at homeless shelters.

Alexandra, a student at St. Anne’s-Belfield School, handed Norris a $500 donation.

“We will put this to good use,” Norris said, thanking Alexandra.

After making the donation, the third-grader said that she likes singing and didn’t mind the news cameras that followed her — she wants to become an actress.

Christmas is a time for giving, she said, adding: “It’s Jesus’ birthday.

“I hope this inspires other people to do this,” Alexandra said. “This is a message for people who read this: ‘Think about it.’”