YMCA, foundation deliver toys to children's hospital
A child-based foundation created by a Highwood family found a kindred spirit in the North Suburban YMCA's Social Responsibility initiative, leading to a donation of hundreds of toys to Advocate Children's Hospital.
Inspired by the generous spirit of a 5-year-old girl, the Y presented giant bags of toys provided by Toys R Us of Highland Park to the hospital's Park Ridge location.
The family of Ryan Sweders launched the Two Kisses, Two Hugs Foundation to encourage children to experience the joy of giving.
As an infant, Ryan suffered a near-fatal infection that was successfully treated at Advocate Children's Hospital. Now age 5 and healthy, Ryan and her mother, Shaila Sweders, have a great appreciation for the opportunity to bring joy to children in hospitals and other crisis situations.
The YMCA's connection with the Sweders family arose from Ryan's participation in Y dance classes. Staff members who learned about Two Kisses, Two Hugs saw it as a perfect match for the Y's Social Responsibility initiative, which brings staff members, partner organizations, and community volunteers together for a variety of monthly social service projects.
"The North Suburban YMCA has been a major support to our new foundation. Their kindness to Ryan and the time spent to assist us in our efforts has been a true blessing," said Shaila Sweders.
On June 27, Y volunteers joined Ryan and Shaila in delivering 12 giant bags of toys. They met with the hospital's pediatric staff, including the nurses and doctor who treated Ryan five years ago. Advocate Children's Hospital also celebrated its five-year anniversary, so the toy donation was a perfect addition to the hospital's celebration. Ryan was one of the first children to be treated there.
"We were honored to support Two Kisses, Two Hugs," said Kim Nyren, NSYMCA director of community investment.
"Our partnership with Toys R Us of Highland Park gives us access to wonderful toy donations that we can share with other charities and organizations. It was very special to help Ryan's family deliver toys to children in the same hospital that had saved her life. The joy on her face inspires us to keep doing more charitable work like this."
For more information about the YMCA's Social Responsibility Initiative Programs, visit www.NSYMCA.org.
The North Suburban YMCA serves 15 Northern suburbs of Chicago, and for more than 48 years has provided programs and services that address youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility every day. For information, visit NSYMCA.org.
Two Kisses, Two Hugs Foundation was formed in June 2017. The foundation's mission is to provide local hospitals and patients in need of toys, funds, and other resources by way of the giving acts of children in partnership with other organizations in the community.
The foundation wants to inspire, encourage and reinforce children from an early age with the positive feelings and effects of charitable giving through personal selflessness and altruism.
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