Kendall’s collection Kendall Owens, 11, of Port Aransas shows some of the toys and other contributed items she has collected to donate to a Costa Rica hospital for its youthful patients. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Just in time for Christmas, an 11-year-old Port Aransas girl is rounding up donations to help kids in a less fortunate community in Costa Rica.

Kendall Owens so far has collected more than 50 toys, books and school supplies for the young patients at a hospital in Golfito, Costa Rica. Kendall’s parents, Kelly and Beth Owens, own a fishing lodge, Rancho Tropical, in Golfito.

On a recent visit to Golfito, Kendall heard a neighbor mention that the local hospital, Hospital del Golfito, had no toys or books for the children staying there. The neighbor was on the hospital’s board of directors, Beth said.

The problem lies in the simple fact that there’s little money in Golfito, a tiny town situated in an otherwise rural part of Costa Rica’s southwest coast, Beth said.

Kendall said she decided to mount a drive because, “I just sort of felt bad. I could just picture them sitting there with no toys and bored, with nothing to do.”

She has been collecting items for the kids for about a month and a half now at H.G. Olsen Elementary School, where she is a fifth grader. She also set up a table to accept donations at recent performances at Port Aransas Community Theatre.

“I think it’s awesome,” Beth said. “I’m extremely proud of Kendall for wanting to give back to the kids in Costa Rica.”

The family plans to travel to Golfito and drop off the donations just after Christmas.

Folks who’d like to contribute may contact Beth at (361) 749-4621.

Questions? Com- ments? Contact Dan Parker at ( 361) 749- 5131 or dan@portasouthjetty.com.