LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- For the fourth year, 16-year-old Madison McManus held a Christmas Stocking Drive in Lafayette on Monday to benefit children who are sick and in the hospital during the winter holidays.
McManus said it's a way to give back to the community and to put smiles on children's faces, just like a smile was put on her seven years ago when she was in the hospital during Easter week.
"I figured it would be nice to give back to kids in need just like I was many years ago in the hospital," she said.
McManus was only seven years old when she became ill and hospitalized.
"While we were out for Easter, the whole week of school, I was stuck in a bed, miserable," she said.
The inability to go outside and play like she normally would have made her sad, she said. But her spirit was lifted when she was given an Easter basket.
"Some kids donated an Easter Basket to me during that season and it just brightened my mood tremendously, so I figured ever since then I'd want to give back and do the same."
For the last four years, McManus has made it her mission to put smiles on children's faces who have to spend the holidays in the hospital. She said her goal is to one day hold a drive at St. Jude's because giving back feels amazing.
"It's been amazing honestly. It's been about 100 stockings annually, every year from different people money-wise, donating toys, and stockings all in general."
Madison said she wants to continue her stocking drive for years to come, and hopes she can make it bigger.
