Catoosa Family, Helped By Community After House Fire, Gives Back

This Christmas Eve saw an innocent act of kindness that's been a year in the making. Wednesday, a 4-year-old girl and her sister gave back to the community that helped them after two fires destroyed their homes.

The first home was lost in the Mannford fires and last December, the family Christmas tree caused a fire that destroyed their house in east Tulsa.

It was the idea of 4-year-old Jaeden Snider to collect change; and after a year of collecting they came up with an impressive amount of toys for boys and girls of all different ages - $250 worth.

On December 15th, 2013, the Sniders lost their second home in two years to fire, and it was support from others that got them through it.

12/16/2013 Related Story: Mannford Grass Fire Victims Lose Another Home In East Tulsa Fire?

“This last year is a blur, almost. It's been extremely emotional the closer this time of year has gone," said Kretia Snider.

William Snider said, "With what happened for us last year, my kids wouldn't have had a Christmas without help from the community."

So with her collected money, Jaeden bought a trunk full of toys and, of course, did some of the wrapping.

"All price ranges, we've got things from puzzles and books to Nerf guns, dolls, dresses to tiaras," Kretia said.

Jaeden said she just wanted to give back to the people that helped her family.

Dressed in her holiday best and Santa hat, her sister Jasmine and she started handing out the gifts.

The Catoosa Fire Department also donated to Jaeden's effort, remembering how hard it was to watch the family suffer last year.

"With everything going on in the world, and then right here in our little town, you get these two little girls that want to do something like this, it is awesome," said Lieutenant Jeremiah Kirk with the Catoosa Fire Department.

William said, "They're teaching us. I mean it's out of the innocence of their hearts and they are teaching us."

Jaeden's parents said this was just the start and plan to continue in the years to come.