After 9-year-old Cayden Tyler set out to gather donations for homeless families in the Santa Clarita Valley, a Stevenson Ranch resident decided to help.

Cayden’s project collects socks, gloves, beanies and blankets, which are personally picked up by Cayden and his grandmother and distributed to those in need by Family Promise, a nonprofit organization that serves homeless families.

For the second year in a row, Cayden has worked to gather donations from the community, but for the first time, Nikki Wehmeir created her own Facebook fundraiser.

“You will very rarely see me post a fundraiser here, but this one is really important to me and I want to knock this goal out,” said Wehmeir on her Facebook page.

Photo Courtesy Of Kathy Gorlick

At first, Wehmeir thought she’d be able to gather about $500, but to her surprise, she raised $2,080, according to Kathy Gorlick, Cayden’s grandmother.

The fundraiser allowed the two families to meet at a local store on Sunday to shop for Cayden’s cause.

“We decided we would go shopping at Walmart, with Cayden and her son, also named Kaden,” said Gorlick.

After about an hour and a half, they had filled up four shopping carts to the brim with baby items, toiletries, toys, clothing and other items that the boys chose.

“What fun the boys had shopping for others, and they really seemed to put thought into what they were picking out,” said Gorlick. “It was great to have Kaden working with Cayden as a team.”

All items are scheduled to be dropped off on Monday to Family Promise by Cayden and his grandmother, where he said he “hopes to bring 5 million smiles.”

“His organization caught my eye because I have a 9-year-old Kaden and because I love, love, love kids with big hearts,” said Wehmeir.

And since Cayden still has concerns when he sees a homeless person on the street, his Winter Warehouse will continue until there are no more calls for donation pickups, according to Gorlick.

“It’s his little acts of kindness that are humbling and that teach him what’s important in the world, and that these little things can make a big difference to someone,” added Gorlick.

To have warm clothing and blankets picked up, contact Kathy Gorlick at [email protected].

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