NILES — Eastside Connections student Julia Babcock is well-known by her family and friends for her generosity. The 11-year-old has asked for donations to St. Jude’s Hospital as her Christmas gift and is known for volunteering to help lead her Taekwondo classes. But her most recent endeavor involved finding a way to spread kindness to residents at Woodland Terrace, 13 Longmeadow Drive.

With some help from her parents Trent and Amber  Babcock, Julia purchased 50 plush bears from a dollar store. Julia then delivered the bears to the Woodland Terrace on Feb. 13.

“I thought it would make their day,” Julia said. “Maybe some of them don’t have family members. I was hoping this would help them have a good holiday.”

As she distributed the bears, Julia said residents thanked her or gave her a hug.  The sixth-grader said seeing such feedback “made her day.”

For her part, Amber said her daughter is often looking for ways to help her community.

“Our daughter Julia has had a giving heart since she was old enough to speak,” Amber said. “She was always the one wanting to put money in the tip jar, even if we already did, tip the waitress extra and give to those who had less than her.”

Amber said she saw her daughter become inspired to pass out teddy bears after Julia’s former teacher, Bonnie Prenkert, started a program with her Eastside kindergarten class that involves visiting with seniors at Woodland Terrace. Julia also said she was familiar with Woodland Terrace because she had visited the senior living community about two years ago for her brother’s school concert.

Julia said she owes her giving spirit to her mom and dad, who she credits for encouraging her to give back to the community.

“My parents are very giving people and they help me through everything I do,” Julia said.

Next, Julia said she is hoping to raise money to donate to her family’s church, Riverside. She said she enjoys finding opportunities to help others.

“I just think I am so lucky that I have good things in my life and that I have everything I need,” Julia said. “It makes my day when I make other people happy and can give to those who need.”