Koby Isles handed out a lot of happiness at Saturday’s annual Christmas at Our House community dinner.

Dressed as Santa’s helper, the 8-year-old delivered 200 Hot Wheels and Matchbox miniature cars to children and families attending the popular community event. Isles began collecting the toy cars a couple of months ago because he simply wanted to do something nice for others.

The Helena Flats School second-grader took his cue from his older brother, John, who had brought dinner to a friend’s family during a time of tragedy.

“Koby came to me asking what he can do to help someone who is sad or hurt,” his mother, Christy Isles, said. “After he saw his older brother help make his friend’s family dinner, he felt inspired to do the same.”

What better way to cheer up someone than with a toy, Koby decided. He was off and running with his project, Koby’s Happy Wheels, by early October. At his mother’s suggestion, his initial goal of collecting 10,000 toy cars was downsized to a more practical 500 cars.

Thanks to generosity that poured in from unlikely places, Koby met and then exceeded his goal. He plans to continue collecting toy cars to give away to children who are sick or in need or who simply need “a little smile.”

With a spirit of giving, Koby began networking with friends and family members to solicit toy cars. He encouraged his classmates, many of whom went through their Hot Wheels collections and donated to the cause.

Two-hundred Hot Wheels cars arrived one day from Amazon, sent by an anonymous donor.

“The amazing thing is the stories,” Christy said. “I’ve seen grown men touched by this because they’ve been in a position of need.”

Koby’s Happy Wheels will be an ongoing project, and he has big plans for how to distribute the toys.

“I’m going to give some to the principal for kids who are having a rough time,” Koby said.

Some of the toys will be given to the family’s pastor to bring on an upcoming mission trip to Africa. Koby plans to hand toy cars out at the local mall, too.

“And I think I will give some of the camouflage cars to veterans, to say thank you for your service,” he said.

Koby’s generosity is rubbing off on others, with many people donating toy cars or giving gift certificates so he can buy more toys.

His desire to help others is part of the Isles’ moral code.

His parents have instilled generosity in all of their seven children. And Kody’s grandfather, J.R. Isles, manager of the county’s Meals on Wheels program, has played Santa Claus at Christmas at Our House for many years, with help from his wife, Vickey, in handing out gifts.

The family has always helped out others.

“You don’t wait until you’re asked,” Christy emphasized. “You’ve got to be that person, to see it and do it.”

Hot Wheels, Matchbox or similar toy cars may be dropped off at the Agency on Aging, 160 Kelly Road in Kalispell. Toy cars or gift cards to purchase toys also may be sent to Koby Isles, P.O. Box 5207, Kalispell, MT 59901-5207.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.