RENTON, Wash. — In a season filled with hope and joy, KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive and King County Toys for Tots joined forces with Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Center - Renton to bring some holiday magic to the children in their care.
After a successful KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive benefitting the King County Toys for Tots, KIRO was able to help fill the room with the smiles of so many children at the therapy center, where so many are battling their unique challenges.
“This time of year is so fun, to give back the toys to the families because the kids will not only have the toy to celebrate the holiday at home but oftentimes bring it back to their therapy session with us and we continue to see how they’re using that toy, not just once but throughout multiple times. Just so fun to see the smile on their face and joyous reaction a multitude of times,” said Kristina North, supervisor of the Renton and Federal Way centers.
On a regular day, the center in Renton works with children from 0 to 18 years old in speech, occupational and physical therapy. The center can see anywhere between 400 and 500 kids a week.
But Tuesday and Wednesday were a little different for the little ones.
North said that when families arrived for their appointment, the children were allowed to pick a toy. Not only for themselves but for their siblings as well. Parents were also invited to stop by and grab toys to give as gifts to their children.
It is events like these that can brighten a child’s day, north continued. “They give the opportunity for these families to have a light and a joy during the, sometimes, challenging times that they’re facing as they’re navigating their child’s diagnosis or the challenges that their facing in their child’s development. So getting to see that positive despite the challenges that they’re facing in the therapy sessions with us is really fun.”
Now in its third year, the Mary Bridge Children’s Therapy Center - Renton has made the event an important part of giving back to the families they serve.
“It’s exciting for the kids,” said Angelica Havens, mother of one of the children who visited the clinic. “It’s just a nice gesture, I’d say for the kids. They deserve things like that.”
To date, the center has given thousands of toys since this event started in 2021.
“The thing that really makes the holidays special at Mary Bridge is the fact that the community comes together with so many toy drives across our hospital and locations in our communities,” said Kendal Kemery, Spokesperson for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. “And making a difference in each child and family’s life to make the holidays a little brighter whether they spend it at home or whether they have therapy appointments. Thank you to our community for making this possible.”
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