The second annual Gideon’s Christmas Wish toy drive is here! Cook Children’s Emergency Department is honoring Gideon’s life by giving toys to kids and their siblings who have to spend their holiday season in the ER. Our mission is to bring smiles, laughter, and hope to families who are hurting this Christmas.
Last year was the first year of Gideon’s Christmas Wish and it was a huge success. We placed boxes at local businesses and collected hundreds of toys. Once all of the boxes were collected, we prayed for the children and families who would receive the toys as well as the staff who would hand them out. No one wants to spend the holidays in the ER, so our prayer was that these gifts would bring smiles and hope.
When we pulled up to the ER to drop off the toys, we were greeted by a handful of staff who eagerly helped unload truck loads of boxes. The staff happily gave up their lunch room to sort everything before placing boxes of toys in every hallway of the Emergency Department.
There was so much joy on the faces of the staff at the sight of these toys. I can only imagine the joy on the faces of the patients. My hope is that the children who receive these gifts will be just as excited as Gideon when he received Thomas the Tank Engine on his final Christmas.
There are a variety of ways to participate in Gideon’s Christmas Wish this year.
- Please visit these locations to drop off new toys:
- Oxford at Iron Horse in North Richland Hills
- Cook Children’s Emergency Department in Fort Worth
- Check out this Amazon Wish List for gift ideas. You do not have to stick to that list of gifts. The ER services children ranging in age from 0-17 with a variety of interests (art, music, sports, princesses, science, etc). Feel free to purchase a gift you think they will enjoy.
- We are excited to have a school, iLoveKickboxing-Bedford, and individuals hosting private events for Gideon’s Christmas Wish this year. If you would like to host Gideon’s Christmas Wish at your local school, gym, or business please let me know and I will get you all of the information.
- Gifts can be sent to me or directly to: Cook Children’s Emergency Department, 886 6th Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76104 *Make a note that this is for Gideon’s Christmas Wish.
Thank you all for blessing these families as well as the ER staff and for remembering Gideon this Christmas.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.