Beacon Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities Michiana spread Christmas cheer to kids

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Marine Toys for Tots Donation Drive continues to spread holiday joy to kids and families at Beacon Children's Hospital as they bring hundreds of gifts to the patients and families celebrating away from home this year.

"It feels great. You see the kids smile and they laugh, they giggle, and you know their situation is really tough, but there's that smile that just melts you. That's what makes it worth it," First Sergeant USMC Retire Samuel Alameda said. 

Alameda says the annual toy drive started 21 years ago.

Driving it? The need locally at both Beacon Children's and St. Joseph hospitals, as the kids were not receiving gifts on Christmas.  

Alameda said the tradition started to brighten their days and ensure the children felt remembered by Santa during the holidays.

Now this is almost a year-round effort.

The Marine Corps starts to raise awareness in July with their mud run event and starts collecting donations in October.

Beacon Hospital Certified Child life Specialist Tracy Byler says she looks forward to working with the marines to give back.

"I look forward to this time of year and our opportunity to be able to help families out. We do have resources for them, for their child who is a patient, and their siblings, so they don't miss out on Christmas when it's time for their hospitalization," Byler said. 

They aren't the only ones spreading Christmas cheer. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana is also bringing the North Pole to families in need.

"Families can't get out during the holiday season when their child is here in the hospital. We want them to still have a wonderful holiday season and experience that joy of Christmas even while they're here in the hospital," Director of Operations at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana Kellie Montgomery said. 

From Friday, Dec. 20, through Tuesday, Dec. 24, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana playroom transformed into a winter wonderland. 

Parents can select holiday gifts for their children and their siblings from tables with toys and presents.

"We have had so many years of wonderful partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities. What they do for our families is just second to none, it's just such a gift, this whole North Pole project. It allows our families to come over and sort of get out of their stress mindset little bit and choose gifts for their babies in the NICU or their children in the pediatric unit," Nurse Manager at NICU at Beacon Children's Hospital Lisa Nichols said.