Mackenzie says that spending the holidays in the burn ICU because her 1-year-old daughter had second- and third-degree burns was not on her bingo card.
But that is what happened. The holidays are a special time, but for families with children in the hospital, the season can also bring challenges and uncertainty. For Mackenzie and Cade, parents of Maeve—a toddler who just turned 2—this year’s holiday season was especially difficult.
Maeve suffered a severe burn after spilling a cup of freshly brewed tea during a visit to her grandparents. What followed was an emotional two-week stay at UNC Children’s, filled with surgeries, cleanings, and the painful reality of watching their little girl endure what no child should have to face.
Despite the difficulties, Mackenzie and Cade were moved to tears by an unexpected act of generosity.
“Maeve was in surgery when they called us about the toy store,” Mackenzie recalled.
“We went down there not expecting much, just some little stuff, but the whole room being filled… It was really something. It definitely got us more in the Christmas spirit and made us think about her happiness, not just all the things we were missing out on.”
Toy Store Brings the Holidays into the Hospital
This year, a conference room near the lobby of UNC Children’s was transformed into a festive “holiday toy store.” Stocked with gifts donated by individuals and organizations from across the community, the shop allowed parents to pick out presents for their children and even their children’s siblings. For families spending the holidays in the hospital, the toy shop was more than a store—it was a lifeline.
Another mom expressed heartfelt gratitude for the donors who made the shop possible.
“Bless them. This is absolutely fantastic,” she said.
Staff Members Witness the Power of Giving
Janet Siwiec, the nurse manager of 6 Children’s, has seen firsthand how the toy shop has uplifted families.
“Allowing the parents to shop has made such a difference in their lives,” she explained. “Since they’re in the hospital, it’s really hard to shop. So being able to come here, wrap the gifts, and make it feel like a normal Christmas has been such a big deal.” She described how some parents cried with gratitude upon receiving their tickets to the shop.
Maggie Alvstad, a child life specialist in the Sedation Unit, emphasized the significance of the donor contributions.
“Giving it back to the families is such a cool experience,” she said.
For Maggie, seeing the joy on parents’ faces as they selected gifts was a reminder of the profound impact that small acts of generosity can have.
Looking Ahead
Thanks to the unwavering support of donors, the toy shop not only met immediate needs but also provided additional supplies for the year ahead. Toys not “bought” with free tickets during the holidays will be used for birthdays, prizes, and other special occasions throughout UNC Children’s during the year to come. As Janet noted, “We also send toys to psych and clinics, so kind of all of Children’s is included.”
The gratitude from families and staff alike is overwhelming.
“Thank you for helping us give this holiday back to our families,” said Maggie.
It’s a sentiment echoed by every parent and caregiver who walked through the doors of the toy shop this season. For the donors who made this initiative possible, know that your contributions have done more than fill a room with toys—you’ve filled hearts with hope and joy.
This holiday season, you were the miracle these families needed.