But when Manorhaven fourth grader Lucas Milgrim, 9, was asked to make a list of what he wanted this holiday season, he decided that instead of only getting, he wanted to give back.
After considering several options, Lucas decided he wanted to collect gifts to give children at the Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park.
“I know hospital kids don’t always have a great holiday and I thought this would make their holiday better,” Lucas said.
With the help of his parents, he got in touch with Nicole Hayes, a certified child life specialist at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center, who sent him guidelines for holiday gift donations.
Lucas reached out to family, friends, fourth grade students at The Community Synagogue, and the faculty at Manorhaven elementary school. They were asked to donate a new, unwrapped item chosen from a list generated by Cohen’s that included toys like rattles, play doh, DVDs, games, books, crafts and more.
Over about a month, Lucas collected more than 100 gifts to be distributed to the patients at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center.
Lucas hopes these gifts will help bring smiles to the faces of the babies, children, adolescents and teens that are confined to the hospital this holiday season.
Special thanks to Shari Isserles, director of the education at The Community Synagogue and Chantelle Persaud, Lucas’ teacher at Manorhaven and all of Lucas’ family and friends who participated and helped make his wish this holiday season a reality.