Crayons, check! Coloring Books, check! And off we go! Last month ENS staff member, Wendy Sandoval, ran a coloring book and crayons drive for the children at Rady Children’s Hospital here in San Diego. Her mission was to collect as many coloring books and crayons for these little patients.
Her son Drew was a patient at Rady Children’s hospital a year and a half ago and saw how important a little coloring book and crayons were to a child. It got Drew’s mind off of what was going on and what he was feeling. From that day forward, Rady Children’s hospital had a special place in her heart. So she wanted to help other kids feel better. Wendy stated, “It is important for us to help these kids out by sending the simplest of things so that they forget what they are going through and help them feel “normal” during unforeseen circumstances. The drive was an excellent way to deliver the most comforting hospital experience to these little patients and their families.”
It is the start of a new school year, so school supplies are on sale. It was a great opportunity! Why not? So she went ahead and asked for donations. To make this happen, she needed the help from her fellow ENS colleagues and faculty members. Word spread to other offices where more donations were made. Bit by bit, coloring books of Despicable Me, Paw Patrol, Elena of Avalar, and many others (along with crayons boxes) filled up the empty boxes. One box was full and then a second one and so forth. Six boxes were filled up.
It was a great opportunity to make a difference. At the end of the drive, six boxes filled up! Wendy collected a little over 100 coloring books and crayon boxes. A special thank you to the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences and special donors for their contributions in this drive.
