Safe House youths have happier holiday thanks to Jackson teens

Inspired by a newspaper story published in 1999 about a mom asking for help at Christmas because she and her children were forced to leave all their belongings behind when they fled to a safe house, a group of Jackson youngsters formed the group Kids4Kids. It was their solution to combat the needs of those less fortunate and give them a good Christmas.

Six years later, they're teenagers who plan to continue the tradition of giving anonymously to other children not as fortunate as themselves. Their plans include helping younger children get involved in the group or doing something different.

Jessica Vaeth said, "The feeling I get when I count up our donations and go shopping for the presents is what makes me keep going. I absolutely love to think that I am helping someone have a good Christmas."

The four charter members of the group, all of Jackson, were unable to work together this year; however, Jessica, her brother Zachary and Chelsea Niswonger were among the original Kids4Kids members. Megan Quade, also of Jackson, joined the group this year in Chelsea Bolen's absence.

The group feels that next year will most likely be the last for this particular unified, local effort, but they're not ready to stop. Zachary, 12, plans to ask friends to join him, and other group members intend for friends to take their places. The idea has even spread to Colorado, where his cousin wants to form a Kids4Kids.

The teens realize Christmas isn't all about getting ... giving is really the best part of the holiday.