COEUR d’ALENE — Granny Gerda Chapman is giving her grandson, Orion, a priceless gift that he can give to others throughout his lifetime: a lesson in kindness.

On Tuesday, the Coeur d'Alene grandma brought the shy 6-year-old to an assisted living facility to present the staff and tenants with little gifts of candy. She also helped him pick out items for Toys for Tots to teach him about other boys and girls just like him who won't be so lucky this Christmas.

"I thought, 'pogo stick,'" Orion said when asked of his purchasing experience.

"I want Orion to learn how to give to others to give through his life. It's most important," Granny said. "He likes to give to others."

While enjoying their adventure in altruism, Granny and Orion didn't forget Press Christmas for All. The youngster was quite pleased to give a $400 check to a Christmas for All representative, signed in kindergarten penmanship, "From Orion" in the memo line.

The money comes directly from Granny's personal savings.

"I just saved," she said. "I try to get him into that. You save it up and then you share it. We're in a process of learning that."

Granny's big heart was tugged when she realized the Press Christmas for All fund is lagging.

"Every year I read and think, 'OK, I'm going to give,' and I do give to other organizations," she said. "I knew you were behind this year, so someone's got to help."

The big payoff for Granny is instilling in her little grandson a sense of selflessness and giving while helping others to have a merry Christmas.

"I thought, 'How can I get him to understand?'" she said. "This is a background of reinforcement. He sees that other people pay attention to his giving. That might help."

Granny said she is glad to contribute a much-needed happy story to the day's news.

"It's so hard at times. You open up the paper and you read nothing but horrible news," she said. "I want to tell the people that the Coeur d'Alene Press is so important because it brings out the goodness in people ands reports the good things, the important things and what's going on other than the bad things you see. I'm happy to read positive things coming out of the paper.

"If only people could get into that frame of mind and not pay attention to the bad things and try to keep working toward helping others."

Orion, with a shy grin, added he hopes everyone has a merry Christmas and a "happy happy 'hoppy' New Year."