YOUNGSTOWN - A four-year-old girl has started her very own toy drive in Youngstown to give back to others this holiday season.

According to a press release, four-year-old Journie Minotti-Judeh launched an initiative to collect new toys for children in need this holiday season to spread joy to families facing financial struggles.

The idea came when Minotti-Judeh's mother was teaching her about tithing, the practice of giving one-tenth of one's income to a church or religious organization, after she ran a successful lemonade stand.

From there, Minotti-Judeh gave one-tenth of her lemonade stand earnings to Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries. Days later, she started bagging up toys in her room and told her mother she had a lot of toys and wanted to help out children who didn't.

"We're incredibly proud of Journie for demonstrating such empathy at such a young age. This toy drive is a wonderful example of how small actions can have great significance," said Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries Chief Program Officer April Alexander.

Minotti-Judeh isn't alone in this effort, as she has recruited family and friends, who have so far contributed more than 100 toys and raised $170 for the cause.

The toy drive kicked off on November 10 and is still running through Sunday, December 7. All donated toys will be distributed to community children through Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries.

Donations can be purchased through an Amazon wish list or dropped off at Heart Reach Neighborhood Ministries on Redondo Road during business hours. Items like action figures, dolls, books, board games and educational toys are all welcome.

According to the release, Minotti-Judeh plans to continue her charitable work after the holiday season by making bags for the homeless.