Big Sandy has sent a number of its children to Seattle's Children Hospital. Hudson Baumgarm will be leaving to have another open-heart surgery on June 5th leaving Big Sandy June 1st. He wants to take with him gifts for the children who are patients in Seattle Children's.

It started as an idea at Sunday School but they knew the community would want to gather up gifts as well. All gifts will be picked up and will be blessed May 26 at Christ Lutheran Church. Boxes will be at the Library, The Grocery Store, and both the grade school and high school. The greatest needs are twistable Crayola Crayons (mini Size), Crayola Crayons, Fisher Price Medical Play Kits, Infant Rattles, Handheld Oball, wrinkle Sensory, Match Box cars, Board Books, Popular DVD's, gift cards for music, book stores, movies, restaurants, target, Amazon and Uno Card games. There is a full page of ideas for gifts taped on the boxes as well. They cannot use any used item, due to the risk of infection and bacteria. So, every item must be new.

Checks need to be payable to Seattle Children's Hospital, Child Life Department.

Seattle's Children's Hospital history tells you the mission of the hospital. I found it interesting to read, "The death of Anna Clise's young son from inflammatory rheumatism in 1898 made her tragically aware of the lack of specialized care for children – and inspired her to take action." The hospital started by Clise's with the help of 23 female friends in 1907. The "original vision – to care for children regardless of race, religion, gender or a family's ability to pay – still guides Seattle Children's today."

"Through the collaboration of physicians in nearly 60 pediatric subspecialties, we provide inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, surgical, rehabilitative, behavioral, emergency and outreach services – regardless of a family's ability to pay."

Seattle Children's hospital has been determined to be among the nation's best children's hospitals for the 26th year in a row. "We received national rankings in all 10 specialty areas evaluated by U.S. News & World Report, and are honored to be the only pediatric medical center in Washington to be ranked."

There is never a moment when any family is glad to have to go to Seattle, but having said that if your child is sick, it's where you want to go. What a wonderful idea to send, with Hudson, a gift from our community for thanking them for taking care of our children.