Young Boy Donates $2,400 From Egg Sales and Fundraising to Toys for Tots
“Hi, my name is Jayden Gabbard, and I want to wish everyone a happy holiday and the merriest Christmas ever! I have a hard time talking about myself, so my dad is helping me type this. But my life isn’t really about me—it’s about how I can help others. My mom and dad, Mike and Amanda Gabbard, have always taught me that putting others first is important, and that’s what I try to do every day.
I was born in 2014 and I have Cystic Fibrosis. When my parents first learned this, they were devastated. But by the grace of God and the support of amazing people, we made it through. Every day, I do breathing treatments and take many medications, but I don’t mind—it’s just part of my life. My dad often says we owe a lot to Ms. Antoinette at Willis-Knighton South in Louisiana, who gave my parents guidance and hope. She assured them that if they followed her advice, everything would be okay, and that faith gave us strength.
In 2017, I had a serious health episode and had to stay in the ICU. It was scary, but the team at St. Luke’s in Boise was incredible. They took such great care of me, and even though I got scolded a few times for sneaking out of my bed to see what the other kids were doing, I felt safe and supported.
My family eventually moved to Idaho for several reasons, including the drier air, which helps me breathe better. My parents work tirelessly to make sure I and my brothers have everything we need. Even with the challenges I face, I try to enjoy life. One of my favorite things is fishing, and I love spending time outdoors.
A couple of years ago, my dad bought us some chickens. We have fresh eggs every day, but since we couldn’t eat them all, my dad suggested I sell some. I started selling eggs for $3 a dozen. That’s when I heard my parents talking about the Marine Corps and Toys for Tots. My dad had volunteered before, and I knew I wanted to help too. I decided I would use the money I earned from selling eggs to donate to Toys for Tots and support kids in need.
We began selling eggs along my dad’s work route, and Dr. Monique Kay, a veterinarian in Nampa, became our biggest supporter. I wanted to reach more people, so my dad called Nate Shelman at AM 670 KBOI Boise. Mr. Shelman decided to match everything I raised, which was amazing! With the help of many supporters, our little project grew quickly.
Of course, we faced setbacks. A fox got into our henhouse and killed several of our hens, setting us back far behind my goal. My dad reminded me that bad things can happen to good people, and we just have to keep going. Thankfully, friends and neighbors stepped in to help. Demetrius Ceja and Charity Jackson generously donated money to help us rebuild our flock. That summer, I worked tirelessly, and soon we were selling more eggs than ever. I even bought signs to help advertise our farm in Emmett, Idaho.
Through all this hard work, I was able to raise over $900 on my own, and with Mr. Shelman’s help, we raised a total of $2,400 for Toys for Tots this year! I was so honored to speak with Sgt. G. from our region and was selected as a Toys for Tots Junior Ambassador for the upcoming year. It’s an amazing opportunity to help children in need, and also to show that even with personal struggles, we can overcome challenges. You just have to believe.
