She was assisted by her niece, Kyla, and her boyfriend, Quentin Leahy, 27, of Boston.
Harrison contacted Billy Sexton, founder of “Little Miracles of Hope,” a non-profit group that provides Christmas gifts for children in need. The group was formed in 2004, and this year assisted more than 400 local families, Sexton said.
Still, the need was greater than funds allowed, Sexton said. He told Harrison that some of the sponsors backed out this year and he needed additional financial assistance to fill every request. His wife, Denise Sexton, carried a folder filled with Christmas gift requests from area agencies. Harrison matched the presents with the proper ages and genders of the children.
“She saved us this year,” Billy Sexton said. “She is wonderful.”
Harrison’s father, Kenny Harrison Jr., said his daughter also helped four years ago, after she won her first gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics. He said his daughter has a soft heart for children.
“If more young people were like her,” he said, “this world would be a better place.”
On Friday, Harrison grabbed a shopping cart and immediately headed toward the toy section at the Middletown Walmart. Only a few of the shoppers recognized Harrison, the most decorated judo athlete in U.S. history.
She called assisting the agencies “an opportunity to give back.”
Harrison, 26, who now lives in Boston, said the sport has given her an avenue and provided the finances that help those in her hometown.
“Honestly, this may help some kids, but it makes me feel good,” she said. “I feel very fortunate and blessed that I’m in a position where I can give back to the community that I love. I have been so blessed and I have had such an amazing career, I’m much more fortunate than some people. Like I said before, ‘If everybody gives a little, we don’t have to give a lot.’ I want to do my part and give a little.”
Harrison was honored by the city after her second gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She grew up in Middletown, then moved to Boston when she was 16 years old to train with Olympic bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro and his father, Jimmy Sr.
Harrison has shared publicly her struggle with the impact of sexual abuse inflicted upon her by her childhood coach Daniel Doyle. Doyle, 16 years her senior, was jailed for 10 years in November 2007 after pleading guilty to abusing Harrison over a three-year period starting when she was 13 years old.
In addition to talking openly about that abuse, Harrison has also launched a foundation aimed at helping victims of abuse.
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