Kaylee McClain is getting a jump start on charitable giving. The Homer Glen resident and St Michael School Kindergartner asked her friends to bring donations for The Payton Foundation’s Annual School Supply drive instead of presents for her 5th birthday party. Kaylee invited over 20 friends to her birthday party. Each guest brought school supplies such as backpacks, notebooks, and pencils for the annual school supply drive. Kaylee and her family delivered the supplies to Banner Personnel Service in Naperville, one of the Payton Foundation’s drop off locations.

Kaylee’s actions were inspired by friends who donated their birthday presents to a charity earlier in the year. Kaylee’s Mom, who also works for Banner Personnel Service, has volunteered with her co-workers for the Payton foundation in the past. Nicole thought that Kaylee and her friends could help this worthy cause. Kaylee’s generosity also inspired additional donations. One of the volunteer’s from Vacation Bible School at St Michael’s Parish learned of Kaylee’s actions and donated all of their remaining supplies to the Payton Foundation. In total, Kaylee and her friends donated more than 30 backpacks filled with hundreds and hundreds of greatly needed school supplies to the Payton Foundation.

The Walter and Connie Payton Foundation was founded by Connie Payton, in memory of the late great Walter Payton. Every year the Payton Foundation collects and distributes school supplies to the neediest of children in the Chicagoland area. The foundation also runs a toy drive at Christmas time.