For Shawn Hawkins, a 10th grade Californian, video games are more than just a toy; they're his future. Shawn has dreams of having a career in gaming in the future, so naturally he was devastated when his game console was stolen in early December.

"I want to work at Nintendo when I grow up," he told local news station WABC-TV.

What Shawn didn't expect was to receive support from friends and fellow classmates.

According to WABC-TV, Shawn's Nintendo 3DS was stolen while he was in gym class at Antioch High School. He told the local news station that his backpack was too big to fit in his locker, so he placed it near his locker. After the Nintendo 3DS was stolen, Shawn wrote a note on the school's community white board begging the culprit return it.

Shawna Cantiliano, an 11th grade student and friend of Shawn's, said he's a nice person and she and fellow classmate Piper Stowe wanted to help by secretly collecting money from students and faculty to buy him a new Nintendo 3DS

"He's a sweet kid and he doesn't do anything wrong to anyone. And it's really bad for him," Cantiliano said.

Little by little, Shawna and Piper collected money to purchase a new game console for Shawn and were able to present him with a new gaming system. Antioch High School Principal Louie Rocha called the situation a win-win.

"Shawn, I think, found out that people care about and are looking out for him," Rocha said to WABC-TV. "And for Shawna and Piper, I think the rewards of giving were pretty special as well."

Despite someone's attempt to ruin Christmas, these California students showed some holiday spirit by caring and giving to another.

Shawn Hawkins

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