Toy Donation
by Jason Torreano, KXMB TV
Posted on 12/5/2008
Skylar observes her remarkable donation to St. Alexius Medical Center. |
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Skylar Schreiner is a young lady of few words. Her journey began in 2007 when she was hospitalized after suffering an asthma attack – how would she describe her stay?
“Bored,” said Skylar Schreiner. “Because I couldn’t get out of bed.” So, this eight-year-old decided to do something. Her plan? “Take toys to the hospital, raise money,” said Schreiner.
How does an eight-year-old raise the type of cash necessary to gather this many toys?
” I had bake sales and had a garage sale,” Schreiner said. Mom and dad say Skylar has a gift for giving. “She’s very concerned about others kids,” said Shannon Schreiner, Skylar’s father. “She’s always worried about other kids and helping other people. She’s always been that way.”
And dad says his daughter has learned a valuable lesson. “She’s learned not to be concerned about yourself but to help everybody else,” said Schreiner.
Hospital staff say Skylar’s gift will bring a bit of home to the hospital. “Normally when you’re going into the hospital you don’t think, well, I should bring a couple books or I should bring a Nintendo DS or I should bring a video,” said Jaclyn Bugbe of St. Alexius.
Jaclyn says the medicine the kids receive help heal the body – but the toys help keep the spirit healthy. “It’s really great for their overall healing presence,” Bugbe said. “At the medical center, we really rely on their overall healing presence. Not only their physical health but also to help them pass the time.”
The Schreiner’s say Skylar plans on gathering toys again next year for the hospital.
