9-year-old collects sleeping bags for homeless - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

9-year-old collects sleeping bags for homeless

Posted: Updated:
Mitchell Dashoff, 9, is collecting sleeping bags for the homeless. Mitchell Dashoff, 9, is collecting sleeping bags for the homeless.
  • NEWS

  • Friday, May 17 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:12:11 GMT
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
    Shana Young has lived in Columbus for quite some time she remembers when uptown used to be downtown and it wasn't the heavily populated place it is today. She believes a lot of that is because of Columbus
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:52:09 GMT
    WTVM's Give 9 Campaign rolled on Saturday despite a few drops of rain moving the Animal Ark Rescue event indoors. Members of the News Leader 9 family including Anchor Barbara Gauthier and Jason Dennis
    WTVM's Give 9 Campaign rolled on Saturday despite a few drops of rain moving the Animal Ark Rescue event indoors. Members of the News Leader 9 family including Anchor Barbara Gauthier and Jason Dennis
  • Saturday, May 18 2013 6:29 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:29:33 GMT
    Four vehicles burned overnight in Columbus' Historic District. The car owners live within a block of each other. The victims say they don't have any idea why they were targeted. Find out how the suspects
    Four vehicles burned overnight in Columbus' Historic District. The car owners live within a block of each other. 
MADISON, AL (WAFF) -

A Madison student came up with a way to help the homeless this holiday season.

Mitchell Dashoff, 9, is collecting sleeping bags for the homeless.

He came up with the idea after visiting the Manna House with his mother. Afterwards he went to officials at Madison Elementary, who have joined in the efforts.

So far, over 20 sleeping bags have been collected at Empire Fitness where his father works. Both

Mitchell and his dad hope to see that number grow.                                                                                

"I don't want the homeless to be cold.  If you want the homeless to be cold, that's just mean. I want them to be warm," said Mitchell.

"I couldn't be prouder of Mitchell. I think it's fantastic. When so many kids are thinking about what they can get with the holidays coming up, it makes me feel great knowing he is thinking about giving," said Steve Dashoff, Mitchell's father.

Mitchell said all the sleeping bags will be turned over to the Manna House to distribute to the homeless.

If you have a gently used or new sleeping bag you would like to donate, you can drop them off at Empire Fitness in Madison Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and at Madison Elementary.

Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved.