Lillian Faith Baker, Anna Grace Baker and Charlotte Kate Anderson may be cousins by blood, but they are sisters by heart and in faith.

The three girls, all students at Fort Dale Academy, spoke to the Greenville Kiwanis on Tuesday about a special charitable project they started in December 2015.

It all began with a tender-hearted kindergartner and her visit to Santa during a school field trip.

“I was waiting my turn to see Santa . . . and I told him I wanted blankets for the homeless,” said Lillian Faith, six.

“I was surprised by what my sister said, but I also wanted to do it,” chimed in her big sister, Anna Grace, eight.

Cousin Charlotte Kate, eight, added, “And I knew I wanted to help, too.”

Their mothers, Carol Baker and Staci Anderson, knew they wanted to encourage their youngsters to share their desire to help those less fortunate.

“As one of the girls said, ‘I like my really soft blanket, I figure they would like one, too.’ It’s wonderful that they are thinking in those terms,” said Anderson. “They are really displaying the spirit of Christ through this effort.”

The Baker girls attend Antioch East Baptist Church while Charlotte Kate is a part of the St. Thomas Episcopal Church flock.

“Our girls have wonderful leaders at Antioch East with the youth ministry and Kim Boulware and Rebecca Butts and her GA program,” said Baker. “I am so proud of them. They have become mission minded.”

Through word of mouth and social media the three girls and their moms shared “The Faith Project” in 2015 and not only blankets (almost 150) but coloring books, crayons, books, Bibles and stuffed animals came pouring in from fellow church members, friends, family, businesses and others.

The donated goods were delivered by the three cousins and their family members to two shelters in the Montgomery area.

“The girls spent time playing with the children, sharing hugs and prayers. It really made an impact on them,” Anderson said.

In fact, it made so much of an impact, the girls knew they wanted to do it again. This year, they are expanding the territory to include Greenville and local nursing home residents who may not have any family in the area.

“I think the residents will enjoy getting the gifts, but also getting loved on by these children,” said Anderson with a smile.

These sisters in Christ will return to Montgomery on December 10 to deliver donations to Friendship Mission as well as to Brentwood Children’s Home.

And they are reaching out to the community to join them in their efforts.

“If any of you here want to host a blanket drive, or Bible or book drive with your employees, we really welcome your participation,” said Baker. “We also take monetary donations to purchase items needed.”

Individuals/families and others wishing to donate can bring new blankets, gently used coats, coloring books/crayons, books and Bibles to a drop-off center.

Drop-off locations include Antioch East Baptist Church and Comfort Care Hospice of Greenville and all donations are requested by Saturday, December 10.

“More than anything, we wish you all would join us in prayer and that this project will spread like wildfire and that other young people will be inspired to do the same,” said Anderson.

To learn more about The Faith Project and/or to book the girls to speak at your school, civic club or business, contact Carol Baker at carolann_95@yahoo.com or by phone at 251-282-0272, or Staci Anderson at stacianderson@me.com or by calling 334-313-7872.