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For his fifth birthday, Drew Friend wants people to give big.

Not presents for him, mind you, but the necessities that will enhance the homes and lives of area families in need.

Asked by his mother to clear out his old toys for new ones he would receive for his fifth birthday April 17, Drew asked if he instead could give his new toys to children in need.

"He said, 'I'm pretty happy with what I have," said Drew's mother, Shannon Friend, of Monroe.

But instead of giving toys, Drew's idea became the catalyst that helped a Liberty Twp. mother of four children between the ages of 7 and 11 years old

"All she had was a dinette set," Friend said of the woman.

Organized by Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church preschool director, Jeannie O'Shaughnessy, "Drew's Big Give" is seeing congregants and other local residents donating mattresses, blinds, books, drapes, sheets, a vacuum, washer, dryer, various furniture and gift cards for shoes, school supplies and groceries. Kroger sent Easter dinner to the family and one area man even volunteered to check and fix the woman's car for free.

Someone even sent $100 in cash and a message printed in block letters: "Happy Early Birthday. This is for your adopted family."

"That was sort of the first inking he had that this had grown," Friend said.

Earlier this week, a U.S. Marine and his wife dropped off several items of furniture the day before he was scheduled to leave for Iraq.

"They spent their last night together for a year helping other," Friend said. "It just goes to show that though Drew started the movement, people want to help others. We just gave them the avenue to do it."

The "give" is modeled after a similarly named show hosted by Oprah Winfrey, which pits contestants against one another to see who can be the biggest philanthropist.

Friend said "Drew's Big Give" is reaching out to help more people, including a Liberty Twp. mother of five and a Middletown woman who came from Vietnam earlier this year with her six-month old child and only one suitcase. The family is in "dire need" of baby-related items, Friend said.

The Rev. Joel Morgan, Royal Redeemer's pastor, said Drew is "an amazing inspiration" who shows the congregation what one person can do. Morgan said the 4-year-old exemplifies Royal Redeemer's ministry of "Growing God's kingdom one heart at a time."

"That may be a modest goal, but you see the impact of one changed heart," Morgan said. "There's a passage in Isaiah that says 'And a little child shall lead them.' In our case, that's what's happening with 'Drew's Big Give.'"

Drew said all the giving his birthday wish has inspired makes him happy.

"If you give away something you like, really, really a lot...then it might give you something better than what you gave away," he said, "like a good feeling in your heart."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5126 or eschwartzberg@coxohio.com.

Be part of the 'Give?

Still needed for 'Drew?s Big Give?: Baby-related items, food, gift cards, non-perishables. To donate, call (513) 779-4740 or send an e-mail to royalredmr@fuse.net or send them to Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7127 Dutchland Parkway, Liberty Twp., OH, 45044