Thanks to generous donations, the holidays for kids at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital will be a little brighter.
Brookfield police officers unloaded boxes and boxes filled with gifts for children Wednesday.
“Everything came together. They were supportive of us. We just love to do this,” said Officer Joseph Kyek.
“With having children, you know, and children sick, being able to give them toys or whatever to help out and make it a better season for the holiday,” said Captain Peter Frengs, whose own children helped collect the toys. “Anything we can do to help.”
The department collected at least 1,000 toys during their annual Stuff a Cruiser event.
“Businesses came, donated money, people came by and stopped by, saying what’s going on here. We have our truck set up, lights are going—there’s a big Santa Claus,” explained Officer Mitchell Heller.
All the toys go to patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital. Right before Christmas they’ll let the parents of patients come in and “shop” for a toy for their child.
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“This will help our child life specialist to help kids be kids even when they’re sick or injured or here in the hospital,” said Marianne Hatfield, vice president of nursing at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.
Hatfield said that happiness is healing, especially during the holidays.
“It’s a reminder, it just bring some normalcy back to childhood,” she said.
There are so many toys from this donation Hatfield says it will help children throughout the year.
“This is actually amazing donation, by amazing group of people who also help people,” she said. “We’re very grateful to the Brookfield police department.”
“It touches my heart. It’s going to be a great blessing to all these kids,” Officer Heller added.
