NASHUA - Deerwood Drive KinderCare is joining other groups this Christmas season, collecting items for the poor. In part they're doing it so that early in life the tots understand the importance of giving.

"We can't imagine little kids around this area that didn't have a Christmas," said Mandy Height, assistant director at KinderCare. "It's definitely a lesson for very early in life."

The drive is for new (or gently-used) winter clothing, food and gender-neutral toys to be distributed by the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter. Height said though the coats are already piling up, few toys have been donated.

"It's a good learning experience for especially the older children, learning about how some families don't have the things that they have."

Another aspect is teaching kids not only to give, but to share, Height said.

"The younger kids that we have, some of them get so caught up in 'I want. I want. I want,' and it's nice for them to (share the things they no longer user,)" she said.

Deerwood KinderCare, part of a national company, KinderCare Learning Centers, does collections on a regular basis. Following Hurricane Sandy, the Nashua branch called for items to be distributed by KinderCare facilities in the worst-hit areas.

Julie Sulfaro is the director of the school. "We just want to give the kids a sense of giving, and let them know that it's not all about receiving," she said.

Non-monetary donations can be dropped off at the school at 71 Deerwood Drive in Nashua, between 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until Dec. 19.

The school directs those who wish to donate money to the Nashua Soup Kitchen. For more details, contact Julie Sulfaro at 603-886-9085.

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