XENIA — Jimmy Garrison received an early birthday present from some local admirers.
Garrison, who has spina bifida and turned 10 today, was surprised Aug. 1 by members of the Xenia High School girls soccer team, who dropped by with some gifts and a giant cookie before heading to tryouts.
Kristy Neece, Garrison’s mom, had posted a request on a Facebook page asking for cards to be sent to her son. The girls caught wind of it and decided to take it a step further.
“It’s good to help out the community,” Marissa Babb said. “As a soccer team we feel we need to be involved.”
Added Amara Shepherd, “We’re here to help other people too. It’s just about making his day.”
In addition to the cookie, the girls gave Garrison a soccer ball, birthday card and Xenia girls soccer T-Shirt. They also sang “Happy Birthday” to Garrison.
“It’s nice to see a kid’s face brighten up,” Sofia Castonguay said.
Neece was touched by the girls’ effort.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “He’s already gotten a lot of birthday cards. (This was) more than I bargained for.”
Garrison was a tad overwhelmed and didn’t have much to say. But he was definitely thankful and even managed a grin here and there.
That made the team happy.
“I like to put smiles on other people’s faces,” Alexis Vaughn said.
