Casey Reifsnyder is a little boy with a big heart.

When Casey, 4, learned about William, a little boy who needed a coat, Casey immediately pitched in to help. His small efforts reaped a windfall of much-needed clothing for children whose families were struggling.For Casey, it's no big deal."He had nothing. Then we collected some clothes for him. Because he had no clothes," he patiently explains to a reporter as he sits on his grandparents' sofa one recent afternoon.Casey is the son of Heather and Corey Reifsnyder of Leesport, and the grandson of Gail and Don Handwerk of Andreas."This was his idea. We just followed through with him," Corey Reifsnyder says.The Reifsnyders by quiet example instill in their sons a strong sense of altruism."We make sure that they are very respectful. We try to instill in them values that teach them that not everybody has exactly the same things. We want them to know there are people who don't have (basic needs)," Heather says. "Even though we're not millionaires or anything, I want them to be able to give back if they do have extra."That those values have taken root in Casey became clear in December as the Handwerks were gathering clothing to donate to Family Promise, a program that enlists the aid of churches to help homeless families get back on their feet."Family Promise was hosting them the week of Christmas at our church, Ben Salem," Gail Handwerk says.12 bags of clothesShe asked a church member what sizes of clothing were needed, and the woman mentioned that a family, not involved in Family Promise, had contacted her needing help."The little one I believe was 24 months old and he didn't have a heavy winter coat or anything. She was thinking about going out to the store and buying things. I said, hold on, because Travis, Casey's little brother, is growing so fast, maybe Heather could give something," Handwerk says.Heather agreed to go through the boys' clothing to see what could be given. As she sorted, Casey asked what she was doing."She explained that she was getting clothes for a little boy who didn't have much," Handwerk said."He was just smitten with William. Everything was, 'does William need this? Does William need that?' " Heather says of Casey. "And I said, William really needs clothes."The next day, Casey ran ahead of his mother as she took him and Travis to day care."He went into school and told everybody there. His teacher said, 'Do you want to put a box out front?' and he said 'yes,' " Heather says."We actually had close to 12 large trash bags filled with used and brand-new clothing," Handwerk says.The Handwerks donated the items to Family Promise just before Christmas."We're just so proud of that little guy, that he could just get that in his head that he had to help," Handwerk says of her grandson.Toys, tooBut Casey didn't stop there."He told me that if I could wait to give it after Christmas, he'd give some of the toys he got for Christmas," she said.Heather says Casey's offer to donate some of his new toys moved her to tears."We gave (the donations) before Christmas, but he had a whole bag of toys that they gave me about a month after Christmas that I took to the little boy that started this whole thing," Handwerk said.Then, Heather took Casey to Oshkosh, his favorite store, where he picked out toys and clothes to donate to William.The little boy's mother, who did not wish to be identified, has promised to bring her son to meet Casey this summer, Handwerk says.As for Family Promise, the group couldn't be happier with their tiny benefactor."I'm always impressed by any kind of donation we get, but for a young person to take it upon himself to reach out and help a person he doesn't even know is tremendous," said director Bob Fatzinger.Casey's actions embody the responsibility to "not only proclaim the gospel, but to reach out and enact the gospel," he said."Ben Salem saw a need, and filled that need, and this young man just jumped right on it, and got other people to join him in doing that," Fatzinger said.While Casey's donation of warm winter coats was a great help, Fatzinger asked that anyone wishing to give to the organization first call him at 610-379-4757.