Some of the best ideas are simple and come from kids. In 2001, kindergartner Haley Whatley took a tour of Cook Children’s Medical Center. It was close to Easter, so she started thinking of the kids who would be hospitalized over the holiday. She asked around to the hospital staff if she could collect stuffed bunnies for patients to love and hug during their stays. Haley got to work and started small, with a cardboard box and a couple of posters. She told everyone at school, church and even a few people she met at the grocery store about her goal. During that first year, she collected 1,400 bunnies. That bunny drive let patients and their moms and dads know that people cared about them and were praying for them.
My sister, Carys, and I got involved in what’s now called The Joy Project in 2007. We started out as bunny and bear ambassadors when Carys was a preschooler at Chapel Hill Children’s School and I was at Durham Elementary. Once we heard about Haley, we immediately wanted to help. On our way to our first drop-off, my mom told my sister and me about the story about my health scare when I was 4 months old. My mom and dad had taken me to a routine ultrasound to follow up on a minor issue found at birth. After the test, the radiologist entered the room to share its findings. Minutes later, I was admitted to the hospital for further testing.
The possible diagnosis was alarming. My parents were in shock as they were whisked through the hallways to my room. When they arrived, they could barely speak let alone think. This was all before smartphones, so just making calls to family members was difficult. My mom told me and my sister how scared and alone she and my dad felt.
I thought more about that story during the remainder of the drive. We arrived a few minutes later and started unloading bags of bunnies and bears we had spent weeks collecting. I remember walking into the lobby and seeing families waiting. You could just tell by the look on their faces that they were dealing with a lot of emotions. It was at that moment that I realized how important these bunnies and bears were. They were there to encourage the patients, families and staff.
Now, during the month of March, our house is filled with bags and bags of stuffed animals. The whole family pitches in, counting all the donations we receive so we can have an official number to unveil at the final drop-off. While we are sorting the animals, we often find handwritten notes from the children who donated these toys. Sometimes it’s just “thinking of you” or “get well.” Other times, it’s a story of a time they were at the hospital and received a bunny or bear and how much it impacted them. It’s a symbol of children helping children, and it’s so simple.
Brooke Henry and The Joy Project are hosting the 20th annual campaign from February 24 to March 24. Visit their website for more information about collections and drop-off locations.
“In 500” is a monthly department written by members of our community in 500 words. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Southlake Style.
If you are interested in submitting a piece, please email Editor@SouthlakeStyle.com.