High 5: Tooele boy provides lesson in charity

TOOELE -- Seven-year-old Trent Jones of Tooele decided he wanted to buy gifts for some needy families this Christmas. He learned you can do a lot with a little bit of spare change.

"I'm going to buy presents for people who don't have money for Christmas," he told KSL. He decided to donate the funds to Operation Christmas in Tooele County. Trent says he thought of the idea on the way home from church one day.

According to his mother, Amanda Jones, "Trent said to my brother, ‘Today we should make a box and in that box we're going to put money in to buy presents for a needy family for Christmas."

Trent's aunt, Jackie Remick, said, "When we heard that Trent wanted to do this, he put a little flyer in our mailbox just for the family. So we wanted to take it one step further and we posted it on Facebook."

"Everyone's told a friend, and told a friend, and it's just snowballed," Amanda explained. "We've had people show up at our door with a mason jar full of money that they're just willing to donate. Someone brought in their ashtray from their car full of money. They were so excited that they forgot the ashtray and left it here."

"Not everyone can do a lot, but everyone can do a little. It's made such a huge difference because just the little baggies or the little soda bottle that my niece brought, that makes a huge difference," Amanda said.

Trent has raised $1,200 and is now buying presents and dinners for four families participating in Operation Christmas.

To thank him for his efforts, our High 5 partners at Les Schwab will be sending Trent some goodies in the mail. They love the opportunity to work with us in spotlighting people in the community who are doing good.

If you know someone who deserves a High 5, nominate them here.