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Happy Holidays 2006

Kids share in the gift of giving

By RITA FARLOW
Published December 20, 2006

How does Santa Claus deliver toys to sick little girls and boys when they are miles away from home at Christmas?

His elves, of course.

About 20 little helpers from Gulfwinds Montessori Academy headed out last week to pick gifts for sick children and their siblings who are at Ronald McDonald House.

"I think we have close to $400 worth of toys," said Gulfwinds director Sara Madle. "We have dolls. There are cars, games, dinosaurs. We told them to pick whatever they wanted."

On Tuesday, Madle and some of the kids brought gifts to Ronald McDonald House, which provides short-term housing to families with sick children being treated at All Children's Hospital.

"The average length of stay is six days, but many of ours are here for weeks and months," said RMH director Donna Young.

"We see everything from near drownings to major neurosurgery, NICU, major cancers, new diagnoses," Young said.

Last year, the organization served 1,927 families at its two locations in St. Petersburg. The west house opened in 1980 and has 18 bedrooms. The east house opened in 1996 and has 34 bedrooms.

"We were bursting at the seams with the first (house). As All Children's grew, we did, too, but we needed more space," Young said.

Families pay $10 per night and do chores to help out. Donations in the form of meals, clothing and toys come in from community groups, churches and individuals.

Young said that the RMH sees an influx of donations during the holidays. "People are generous throughout the year, but especially at Christmas, which is important because we don't close. We expect to have 35 to 40 families here on Christmas Eve," she said.

And tired, weary parents running back and forth to the hospital don't have the energy to worry about shopping, Young said. "They haven't got time to think about that. They haven't got the money, or a car to go get (presents). It takes a big burden off," Young said.

On Friday, sick children and their siblings will be able to pick out presents at the "toy shop" created in an empty bedroom at RMH. Leftover toys will be distributed to kids throughout the year, for birthdays, special occasions and when families leave the facility.

Gulfwinds has been donating toys each Christmas for several years, Madle said. Madle said that the children learn about the spirit of giving, as well as empathy.

"They really do get it. We talk about how there are children who don't get to be with their families over the holidays because they're sick or are visiting family who is sick. We want to make sure we make their Christmases a little bit happier," Madle said.

Young said the holidays are difficult for families whose loved ones are far away, and the experience can be especially hard on kids.

"I had a little boy say to me one time, 'I don't know if Santa will find me here,' " Young said.

Gulfwinds' students intend to make sure he does.

How you can help

Ronald McDonald House needs volunteers, especially Spanish speakers. To help, call 821-8961.

[Last modified December 20, 2006, 01:57:05]