A Rockford Hospital Needs Gifts to Give Sick Kids This Christmas

To me, the holiday season is by far the most wonderful time of the year. I have always loved everything about Christmas, but the joy and excitement of the season has intensified since I became a Mom. This is exactly why the fact that so many children will find themselves in the hospital this Christmas absolutely breaks my heart.

Not only does my heart break for the children who are sick, but it also hurts for the parents who are overcome with worry for their child and are now burdened with figuring out how to provide a little Christmas magic when they're away from home. This is where you and I and Mercyhealth come in.

Mercyhealth is asking for the public to donate new, unwrapped toys to be given to the hundreds of kids they will be caring for this Christmas. Here's the most important part, since these donated toys will be distributed to kids in a hospital setting, they need to be able to be cleaned and bleached for safety and sanitary reasons. Meaning, no plush or fabric toys. Here's a few of the "wish list" items posted on Mercyhealth's website: