NATCHEZ — Willene Davis wants nothing more but to give back to the community, and she’s challenging others to join her movement this holiday season.

Davis, a housekeeper at the Holiday Inn Express, has organized a toy drive for the Natchez Children’s Home Services.

“I would like to give, because I know a lot of kids wont get something this year,” Davis said. “It’s just in my heart to do that this year.”

The Holiday Inn Express and the NCHS will take up toys, coloring books, clothes, blankets, winter coats, tissue, paper towels and other usable items for children who may not have the opportunity to receive a gift during the holiday season.

“Bring anything you think a home will need,” Davis said.

Davis has taken it upon herself to challenge other local hotels to also take up toys for the NCHS.

“I feel by me challenging other hotels to do something for the children’s home, every child can have more than enough this year,” Davis said.

Davis has worked with the Holiday Inn Express since February. While working, she’s managed to meet new people who had a giving spirit.

“I could clean 15 rooms and be happy, I love housekeeping,” Davis said. “I never meet a stranger. I’ve had one woman to leave me a $50 tip, and after seeing how people were giving to me, that inspired me to give something back.”

Holiday Inn Express General Manager Kristie Smith once told Davis she would like to make carbon copies of her.

“She is just awesome,” Smith said. “She always had a big heart and always wants to do for others.”

Smith said Davis is one of her hardest workers, and she found pleasure in the idea to take up toys for the NCHS.

“When we started doing a Christmas Drive for Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children in Jackson, (Davis) decided to do something for the local children’s home.”

Davis said God has been good to her by allowing her and her daughter, Schwedia Bell, to work together at the hotel.

“(Bell) is my boss of housekeeping,” Davis said. “And that lets me know that God is working with me in good ways.”

Davis said if it wasn’t for working at the Holiday Inn Express, she wouldn’t have thought of doing a toy drive for the NCHS.

“I’m grateful — I’ve seen a lot of things in my life,” Davis said. “I realize they’re a lot of things to give back to. It’s just in me to do it.”

The deadline for the toy drive is Dec. 19. Toys can be taken to the NCHS from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or anytime at the Holiday Inn Express on Canal Street.