Helping Kids Heal After Addiction

Published on October 20, 2025

Red and white wrapped Christmas presents
Red and white wrapped Christmas presents
Lissy’s Legacy of Love is a Norton, Ohio nonprofit helping kids affected by addiction with holiday gifts, birthday surprises, and comfort. Run by volunteers, they rely on donations and community support to bring joy to children facing incredibly hard circumstances.

Spotlight on Lissy’s Legacy of Love, a Norton Nonprofit Supporting Families in Crisis

Addiction doesn’t just affect the person struggling with it. It ripples outward, touching families, communities, and most painfully, children. In Norton and surrounding areas, many kids are growing up with parents who are incarcerated, in rehab, or lost to addiction. Some are living in foster care or kinship programs. Others are facing their first holiday season without a parent.

That’s where Lissy’s Legacy of Love steps in.

Founded in 2020, this small but mighty nonprofit is dedicated to helping the most innocent victims of addiction, children who are left to pick up the pieces. Through Christmas gifts, Easter baskets, and birthday surprises, Lissy’s Legacy brings comfort, joy, and a sense of normalcy to kids who need it most.

What They Do

Every child helped by Lissy’s Legacy has been directly impacted by addiction. Some have lost a parent. Others have a parent in rehab or jail. Many are living with relatives or in foster care. These kids don’t have it easy, but they are deeply grateful for the gifts they receive.

Last year, the organization helped 167 children for Christmas. This year, the need is even greater. In fact, they had to close registration early because they simply couldn’t keep up with the demand.

Lissy’s Legacy is run entirely by volunteers. They receive no state or federal funding, which means every donation goes directly to helping kids. There are no paid employees just people with big hearts and a mission to make sure no child feels forgotten.

How You Can Help

There are several ways to support Lissy’s Legacy of Love:

  • Adopt a child: You’ll be assigned a child by age and gender, and you can shop for 3–4 gifts to make their holiday special.
  • Buy a gift: Donate toys, blankets, craft kits, gift cards, or other items from their wish list. These are used for kids who don’t get adopted or need a little extra.
  • Shop their Amazon registry: Gifts ship directly to the organization and help fill in the gaps.
  • Make a monetary donation: They accept PayPal and Venmo, and all donations are tax deductible.
  • Spread the word: Businesses, church groups, and individuals are all welcome to get involved.

They help children ages 0–18 in Summit, Stark, Wayne, and Medina counties, with most of their outreach focused in Norton and Barberton.

Every Gift Counts

Lissy’s Legacy of Love is proof that compassion can change lives. Whether it’s a Barbie, a basketball, or a blanket, every gift reminds a child that they are seen, valued, and loved. And in a season that can feel especially heavy for families affected by addiction, that reminder means everything.

If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season, this is a beautiful place to start.

Learn More

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