The good examples children set are so many it’s difficult to cover them all. A 14-year-old Eagle Scout from Yuma is collecting toys for pediatric patients.
As part of a leadership project with Eagle Scout Troop 8051, 14-year-old Andrew Polston decided to collect toys for pediatric patients at Yuma Regional Medical Center, the Yuma Sun reports. His project began on Aug. 15th, and will continue until September 15th.
Andrew has set up drop boxes for donations at Mohave State Bank,Yuma Lutheran School, Christ Lutheran Church, Spragues, RX Positive, Misenhimer Aivazian & Tennant, Christ the Redeemer Church Office, Crites and Associates, and Curves in the Foothills. The campaign accepts toys for boys and girls from all ages, but the donations must be brand new and unused. Andrew adds that the most loved toys are stuffed animals, puzzles, games and coloring books.
There are a couple of collection jars at Mohave State Bank for monetary donations as well and those wanting to donate online may do so at www.yumaregional.org/Foundation. Andrew made the decision to do a toy drive for YRMC based off his own experiences in hospitals such as the University Medical Center in Tucson when he was younger. “I was sick when I was about seven and the toys there really helped me. I remember one toy that was a treasure puzzle and I remember working on that while I was in the hospital”, he says.
“After going through a procedure like an MRI or a spinal tap a kid can go to the toy chest and pick out a toy to keep their mind off being in the hospital,” Andrew added. Sadly, the toy chest in the hospital is in very low supply. The available toys are similar, so this means there is not enough variety for the children. Andrew hopes that his toy drive, which already has gotten quite a few toys, will gather as much toys as possible for the children.
“If people hear about it and they’re looking for an Eagle Scout project another person can collect more toys,” Andrew said. “They’re always going to need toys at the hospital.”
