A boy and his drone shows impact of community generosity

I was reminded this weekend of the good in people.

For months the children of Fred and Marilyn Levin having been planning the third annual Fred Levin Way Fest. They coordinated a complicated map of booths, food trucks, port-a-potties, volunteers, parking, entertainment, supplies and logistics, all in an effort to ensure the families of our community had one incredible day without worrying about a thing.

The Pensacola News Journal partnered with CivicCon to host a booth − one of 63 mostly nonprofit organizations who shared their services and essential supplies with the 10,000 moms and dads, grandparents and kids, senior citizens and young adults who came through the line. We were giving out toilet paper. On my right was Sue Straughn and WEAR giving out underwear. Jill Hubbs of WSRE was on the left handing out laundry soap.

Many of the supplies given away at the booths on Saturday were purchased by the Levin family.

We're talking 2,000 rolls of toilet tissues, 4,000 dental hygiene kits, 3,000 packets of detergent, 25,000 diapers, 10,000 feminine products, 21,000 hygiene kits including soap, shampoo and deodorant, 6,500 books, and thousands upon thousands of art supplies, blankets, ponchos, food packets, bags of pet food, medical supplies, socks, school supplies, bike helmets, underwear and ear buds. All told, more than 120,000 essential items found their way into the hands of some of our most in need families.

All of those items were things that most of us take for granted, but for others are a luxury. It shouldn't be that way, but that's the harsh reality.

But it was one boy out of many who drove the meaning of the day home for me.

Shortly before 3 p.m., the young man stood in line outside our booth with his mom and grandmother. We were near the end of circuit and the family had likely been in the sun and on their feet for hours. You couldn't tell, however, because the child simply glowed. And everyone around him was caught up in his excitement.

Families can exchange their map of booths, with those they have visited stamped by vendors, for a toy of their choosing. I had walked the area earlier out of curiosity and was blown away by the items, arranged by age and interests. Baby dolls and chemistry sets, Legos and board games, electronics, jewelry, makeup and Barbies. There was something for everyone.

The young man in front of me chose a stunt drone. For at least five minutes he read aloud the many things his new drone could do and talked about the things he was going to try. Then it hit him.

"Mom, my school is going to start a drone program. Now I can do it, too."

A nearby woman asked him if knew all the cool jobs that were out there for drone pilots that he could do when he grew up. Before long, he had his future all mapped out and nothing was going to convince him it wasn't going to happen.

I had thought it was a cool toy, when it was something so much more than that.

This gift was going to enable him to participate with his peers, an opportunity he believed otherwise would not be possible − an opportunity that every single child should have to play and explore in a just world.

I told the story later that day to Martin Levin, who was walking every inch of the event grounds checking in on vendors and participants, already planning how next year's event could be even better. As I'm describing the boy's joy, Martin began to tear up − pure raw emotion after a very emotional day. I'm sure he saw countless examples throughout the day of the real life benefits an act of generosity can provide, but this one boy put it all in perspective.

I mentioned the boy again in response to an email from organizers who were sending me a rundown of the day's impact. It was just a quick little note. I should have known better. Within minutes I received an email from Martin's sister, Kimberly. She wanted to track down that little boy so she could provide him with a bigger and better drone, one equipped with a camera.

She didn't know him. She never met him. And she wanted to get him a better drone.

There are very good people in this world. Remember that on those days when it seems like no one cares. This family cares. As shown by the hundreds of volunteers who spent so much time on this one-day event, on the nonprofits who spent this day and so many others working to make their community better, this community cares.

Kimberly and I haven't found that boy yet, but we're on the hunt! If one of your students came to school bursting with excitement and you think he's the one, send him my way. I don't think Kimberly is going to rest until she's completed her mission.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fred Levin Way Fest in Pensacola shows generosity at its best