Sage Zachmann has a really cute puppy, and a beautiful Barbie Dream House.

"It’s kinda jammed, but you just pull it," Zachmann said.

Unwrapping that dream house is one of Sage’s best childhood memories, and she wants other kids to know that feeling, too. 

"My mom always tries to get me – every time I ask for something, she tries to get it for me. I thought that since some kids don’t get stuff like I do, to donate toys to the people who don’t get it," she said. 

Sage first thought of it two years ago, and she’s organized toy donations for three straight birthdays. The COVID-19 pandemic concerned her, but it didn’t slow her down.

"I was pretty worried. I thought that if they didn’t do it, there would be a lot of kids, especially because of COVID, that wouldn’t get toys and stuff for Christmas," she said.

Last Saturday’s toy drive was a big success – 82 toys were dropped off at Kirk’s Jewelers in Dunkirk. And that’s before they matched Sage toy for toy. Next year, Sage wants to break triple digits.

"I’m probably going to aim for a little bit higher, like 100-110. Somewhere around there," she said. 

Sage will have competition, as she’s not even the only person in her dance class giving toys to charity. Sage’s friend Aubree thought the toy drive was a cool idea, and she donated during her birthday in June.

"I think it’s sad that kids aren’t allowed to get toys, so I think it’s nice by helping them by donating," said Aubree Miller-Shifflett.

Sage is happy to spread the word; anything to help out Toys for Tots.

"I want to keep doing it and it just is now a thing I do every year, because I feel like I need to keep helping them out," she said.

Sage’s donations have doubled each year. If the trend follows, almost 300 toys could be donated next November.