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Santa gets by with help from his friends

Santa can be a busy guy leading up to Christmas Day. To make sure there’s as much time for holiday magic as possible, he gets by with a little help from his elf friends at Mary Bridge Children’s.

Toys for Renton Tots + Kids

Halfway through December, the helping hands of elves and staff make magic during the annual giving tradition at Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Center in Renton. 

The Marines Toys for Tots drive is a bustling day that patient families look forward to all year, as the Children’s Therapy Center accepts toy donations in partnership with the local Toys for Kids drive.

This year, the groups collected and distributed over 500 new, unwrapped toys to families, based on their child’s therapy goals. For any parents worried about stretching December’s budget, the annual event ensures all families can give their children a holiday season to remember.

“Our whole purpose is to make kids be able to participate in every aspect of their life just like any other child,” said Kari Tanta, Rehab Manager at Mary Bridge Children’s. “This event is an extension of that. Our annual toy drive partnerships supports our families during the holiday season, when utilities and other costs tend to snowball.”

Buddy (the elf) 6, loves spaghetti

A young redhead boy in a red plaid sweater smiles in front of an open Subaru trunk, filled with cardboard boxes of donated toys.

Elijah Feigenbaum remembers the Christmas he spent hospitalized. For several years, he’s made the holidays brighter for his peers in inpatient by donating boxes of toys each year.

Days later, an additional 1,000 community donated gifts were divided by by age, interest, and development level, guiding the elves as they assigned name tags to each item. Donations included everything from brain teasers to plush and comforting Squishmallows. Between superheroes, sparkly slime, Hot Wheels, and crystal growing kits, if it was on a child’s list, it was likely there.

On Christmas Eve and the day prior, elves from Child Life Services delivered presents to children spending their holiday hospitalized. On Christmas Day, the big man in red himself delivered wrapped gifts and a dose of joy.

Santa wears glasses and holds a smiling brunette baby in a yellow blanket with oxygen tubes and an IV placement.

Santa visits every unit of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, including the NICU.

“It makes a world of difference for kids and their families, having something to look forward to and celebrate while they’re healing,” says Julie Hertzog, Child Life manager. “We’re grateful to the generous community for making holiday hospital stays memorable in a positive way.”

In gratitude

Thank you to all volunteers and toy donors who brought cheer to Mary Bridge Children’s patient families this year. Donations like yours support discovery through play, all year long.