Brooke

Introducing Brooke: A Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador who turned sugar scrubs into smiles.  

Sometimes big journeys begin with small ideas. For Brooke, it happened in 2020, when she was in fifth grade. She had been making sugar scrubs as a hobby, but right before Christmas she decided: “Why don’t I sell them? And I’m not going to keep the money—I’ll donate it.” 

That idea sparked something big. Brooke hand-made and sold 110 scrubs, raised $1,100, and turned it into about 100 toys for children in need. When she and her family arrived at her local Toys for Tots Chapter with the toy donations, volunteers assumed she was representing an organization or company. Instead, she was just one determined child with a huge heart. “The Toys for Tots Chapter ended up being very interested in what I was doing, and they invited a news channel to interview me. It was just such an amazing experience!” 

From there, her involvement only grew. Two years later, her local Coordinator invited her to apply for the Youth Ambassador Program. “When I heard I got in, I was so happy I started crying.” 

Since then, Brooke has embraced every part of being a Youth Ambassador. She loves the community she’s found among the veterans and volunteers in the warehouse.  She also treasures the chance to meet families face-to-face: “Just seeing how grateful those people were really powered me to keep doing this. Three toys can make such a difference in someone’s life—it’s so special.” 

Brooke has also discovered her own voice. At just 12 years old, she was unexpectedly asked to speak to a crowd during a large company holiday event. Though nervous, she stepped up—and moved people to tears. “The impact that speech brought on so many people was so special. To hear how they wanted to get involved because of what I said… it meant everything.” 

Creativity is another hallmark of her service and dedication to being a year-round force for good. Recently, she organized gift baskets filled with books, candy, and small toys for children at homeless shelters, food banks, and domestic violence centers. “I’ve always loved gift giving. It gives you room to be creative and doing it to help kids in need makes it even better. It’s the perfect outlet.” 

Looking back, Brooke says the Program has shaped her in profound ways: “I was so scared of speaking in public, but now I’m not afraid. I’ve become a better leader, and even my coaches notice it on the field––I’m acting like the leader this Program taught me to be.” 

As for the future, Brooke has no plans to stop. Whether she’s at college or back home for the holidays, she says she’ll keep giving her time to Toys for Tots. “I definitely want to stay involved as much as I can.” She also hopes to see the Program prosper, with more children getting involved, building confidence, making connections, and becoming leaders in their committees.