TEMPLE, Texas — For young patients at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center, comfort comes in many forms this holiday season – from a wagging tail to handmade blankets stitched with love.
As the hospital's annual toy drive, Lorenzo's Wish List, nears its December 20 deadline, Child Life Specialist Leah Woodward and her facility dog Lorenzo are witnessing the impact of community generosity firsthand.
"We live in a very, very generous community, and our community shows up," Woodward said. "They help make sure that our patients and families have gifts not only at Christmas for the ones who are here on Christmas Eve and Christmas stay, but also throughout the year."
The donations serve a greater purpose beyond holiday cheer. Woodward and Lorenzo use these items to help children through difficult procedures and conversations.
"Lorenzo is my favorite tool in my toolbox," Woodward explained. "He gets up on the bed and can help when kids have to do tough things like getting a poke or stitches."
The hospital needs items for all ages, from teethers and rattles for infants to arts and crafts and Bluetooth earbuds for teenagers. Last year, community members donated more than $68,000 worth of toys and gifts.
Project Linus, which delivered its 47,035th blanket to the hospital, adds comfort. The Temple chapter has been creating handmade security blankets for children in crisis for 25 years, and McLane Children's was its first recipient.
"We want them to know that they're loved," said Sandra Rowell, coordinator for the Temple Project Linus chapter. Each blanket contains a poem expressing the love woven into every stitch. Many of us pray over the blankets as we make them because we don't know who they will go to or their situation."
The impact extends beyond the hospital walls. "It's almost selfish because I get such a good feeling making the blankets," Rowell shared. "I get probably as much as the kid that gets the blanket because I know how special it's gonna be."
While the holiday toy drive ends Friday, December 20, Woodward emphasizes that donations are welcome year-round. "Please remember us after that," she said. Those donations go to our patients and help keep our hospital, playroom, and teen lounge stocked with things for kids to use while they're here all year long."