By Janet C. Wetzel
Enquirer contributor

NORWOOD - While most children are making their Christmas list to Santa, Kelsey Clarkson is working on a list for her birthday, which comes soon after Christmas.

Kelsey Clarkson, 9, with some teddy bears she has collected to give to needy children. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

Kelsey, who will be 10 Jan. 13, knows exactly what she wants. She wants teddy bears - 200 of them - in all shapes, sizes and colors.

Kelsey loves teddy bears, but these aren't for her - she's going to give them to less-fortunate children.

She's already collecting bears and will ask birthday party guests to bring bears.

Kelsey will give the gifts away during a "Hug a Bear Party" for abused and neglected children hosted by Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services. The agency hosts a skating party in February, and the Clarksons will bring the bears, plus a birthday cake, a goodie bag and party favors.

"I have a lot of stuff. I'm running out of room," Kelsey said. "So it's good to let other people enjoy presents."

Those who know Kelsey, daughter of Kim Borne-Clarkson and Rodney Clarkson, of Norwood, say a giving spirit is not something she wears just during the holidays.

Three years ago, Kelsey was looking forward to a special birthday - a disco party. But as she looked at her Christmas presents, she told her parents she didn't know what she would do with more gifts. She wondered about less-fortunate children. Would they get nice presents, or maybe just one thing, or even nothing?

After a family discussion, she decided to have a birthday party for others and sent invitations asking for gifts to help the needy.

"People were very generous," said Mrs. Borne-Clarkson. "About 32 people came and brought more than 60 gifts, from blankets to books, crafts and toys."

After an unwrapping party, Kelsey and her family delivered the gifts to Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services to be given out at the skating party.

"I loved it," Kelsey said. "I just wanted to see other kids have a lot of things like I do."

That experience inspired Kelsey. The next year, 2001, she celebrated her birthday early by helping a family have a nice holiday.

The Clarksons picked a family of six through the Make a Wish Foundation, and at Kelsey's suggestion, they took money that would have paid for her birthday party and gifts and had a shopping party instead.

"The mother cried and hugged Kelsey, thanking her for her generosity," Mrs. Borne-Clarkson said. "The kids hugged her, too. She grinned shyly and hugged them back. Kelsey was so touched."

Kelsey may have inherited her generous nature.

Her parents have been volunteers for various organizations, including The Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Be Concerned in Covington, Ky. They are active in their church, Christ the King, Mount Lookout. Kelsey has been helping since she was about 4 when she stuffed envelopes to mail flyers for a fund-raiser.

Kim Roy, principal at Cardinal Pacelli School in Mount Lookout, said Kelsey, a fourth-grader, is known for her friendly, helpful attitude.

Bears, or money to buy them, can be donated at the school, 927 Ellison Ave., the church, 3223 Linwood Ave., both in Mount Lookout, or by calling Mrs. Borne at (859) 291-5449.

Do you have a Hometown Hero? E-mail Janet Wetzel at jjwetzel@siscom.net, or fax to (513) 755-4150.