Kids can make a difference.

If you do not believe that, then checkout what the Presby Kids of the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church did with the funds they raised through their congregation to go on a Ronald McDonald House “mini mission trip” this past Sunday.

The children, ranging in ages from 4 to 11 years old, collected $361 dollars for their mission trip from the congregation the last few weeks. They used the money to go on a shopping spree to purchase food items and paper products that the Ronald McDonald House at Memorial Hospital in South Bend had on their wish list.

A trio of adults — Amy Anderson, Tanda Stiffler and Presbyterian Church Pastor Scott Scheel, along with teenager Megan Lehman — helped the children pick out food that they thought parents would enjoy eating while they stayed in one of the Ronald McDonald family rooms while their children were in the hospital.

“There were four carts of food that the kids purchased and then headed to the Ronald McDonald House,” Stiffler said. “Two volunteer workers at the house were thrilled when they opened the door to see a wagon full of groceries along with three wheelchairs piled high with food and that was just the first trip. A second trip had to be made just to get everything into the pantry.”

The volunteers then took the children on a tour of the house and explained all about families and even sometimes brothers and sisters that come and stay with them for a place to sleep. They can shower, watch television and of course eat meals at no cost to them whatsoever.

“The kids listened very intently and even asked questions,” Stiffler said.

The Presby Kids were rewarded for their good deed with a meal at Culver’s in Mishawaka.

“They got to have a kid’s meal and ice cream,” Stiffler said. “It was one of the highlights for them as well. These kids will probably remember the mini mission trip that they took for the rest of their lives and it makes them aware that as little as they are, they can make a huge difference to help and do service in our area. These kids did their part in shopping, packing, delivering and enjoying the perfect day.”