The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 1, 2008

5-year-old Enid girl donates her birthday presents to YWCA

By Kasey Fowler, Staff Writer

Isabelle Groendyke didn’t touch the presents she got for her fifth birthday, although she did marvel at them. Then, she gave them all away.

Isabelle and her mother, Corey, asked friends and family to not purchase gifts for Isabelle’s birthday. Instead, they asked them to purchase gifts for YWCA Enid in Isabelle’s name.

On Friday, Isabelle, YWCA staff members, board members and volunteers saw all the presents for the first time.

Isabelle entered the room first to survey all the presents before she presented them to the waiting YWCA supporters. Her eyes got big and she jumped up and down looking at all the gifts.

Supporters were allowed in next to see all the donated gifts. YWCA staff, board members and volunteers smiled and some cried in joy over the large number of gifts laid out in the room.

Kim Blankenship, YWCA executive director, expressed her gratitude to Isabelle and the Groendyke family.

“Isabelle and her family have gone up and beyond. We are blessed and honored they thought of us,” Blankenship said. “There are unfortunately so many women and children who come through here. This is above and beyond anything that has been done for the YWCA.”

Isabelle wasn’t done giving gifts, though, as she also presented YWCA with gift cards, rugs and a promise of painting a room.

Although Isabelle gave a lot, she wasn’t the only one to present a gift Friday. The YWCA presented Isabelle with a plaque to be hung by the children’s crisis center playroom. The plaque was inscribed with: “In recognition of her kind and giving heart the YWCA dedicates this room Isabelle’s Playroom.”

Isabelle’s mother ex-plained how the idea of the donation was formed.

“The kids that are here are no different from her,” Corey Groendyke said. “They just have bad circumstances. We have had so many great family and friends who booted up and helped. I brought Isabelle and one of her friends down here a few months ago. Originally we were thinking toys, but then we were thinking more long-term.”

Lindsey Stowers, YWCA administrative assistant, didn’t believe she could express her gratitude.

“It is wonderful. It is awesome. There is nothing that describes it. Everything is just amazing,” she said.

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