Cumberland County girl inspires toy drive for children in Africa

by AMANDA PALLESCHI, of The Patriot-News

Yet the pre-kindergartner is slowly becoming a world renown humanitarian while changing the diapers of her Baby Alive doll in the comfort of a tree-lined Hampden Township neighborhood. Riley, 5, decided to start a toy drive for children fleeing Sudan's Darfur region after watching a segment on "The Today Show."

In the segment, Ann Curry and George Clooney visited children in a Darfur refugee camp in Chad. As she watched young children scurry around the superstars in mud homes with "lots of dirt" -- as Riley says -- she turned to her mom and said: "These kids are getting ready for school, and they don't have any toys."

So Riley decided to send her old ones: puzzles, hula hoops, Candy Land. "She had an idea, so I said, 'OK, honey, I'll make it happen,'" her mom, Rhonda Hebbard, 37, said. "Every mother wants their kid to be thoughtful."

Riley's small act of selflessness and mom's idea-into-action support spurred generosity -- and attention -- from all corners. First, there were "Riley's Toys for Darfur" drop-off boxes in locations that were part of Riley's daily routine: her gymnastics school, her preschool, mom's favorite coffee shop. Then came the TV cameras, a story on "The Today Show's" MSNBC blog, mentions on Save Darfur blogs across the country and calls from international organizations that are helping the Hebbards make shipments to Darfur refugee camps.

They've even received Toys 'R' Us gift cards -- up to $100 -- from folks as near as Carlisle and as far as California.

 Photo by Dan Gleiter, The Patriot-News                    

"I'm amazed by the generosity of people," Hebbard said. She'll keep up the effort, which she juggles with her work as president of her event-planning and marketing company -- as long as Riley stays interested.

In the meantime, she's grappling with teaching Riley the basics of sub-Saharan African geopolitics so there's meaning to her act of kindness. If you ask Riley why the children on TV have no toys, why they are living with "lots of dirt," she now can explain.

"They had to run away from their leaders who were being mean and trying to kill them," she said, spoon-feeding her Baby Alive doll green beans for breakfast.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Riley and Rhonda Hebbard are looking for toy donations for children in the Darfur refugee camps. They are asking for new and gently used toys. Donations can be dropped off at the following Mechanicsburg-area locations: Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Apple Dumpling Gang preschool, Central PA Academy of Gymnastics, Cuppy's Coffee, My Gym, Silver Spring Diner; and in the Harrisburg area: Frampton Kimmel Group and Mollie B Fine Jewelry.

Posted: Monday, May 18, 2009 5:04 PM by Sarika Dani
Filed Under: Ann Curry

     When it comes to toys, most 5-year-old kids are focused on acquiring more playthings – not giving them away.

     But Riley Hebbard is a little different from most 5-year-olds. After seeing an Ann Curry report about children in Darfur, Riley decided to do something about the fact that the kids there have no toys to play with. So the enterprising youth started Riley’s Toys for Darfur. With drop-off locations in Mechanicsburg, Pa., the drive is taking off.

     Riley’s mom, Rhonda Hebbard, says her daughter’s aim is for every kid in Africa to have a toy, so they don’t have to share.

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 Click here to see a video about Toys for Darfur
aired on TV Station WGAL on May 12, 2009
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