Project Jake’s Joy: Spreading Smiles One Toy at a Time
Help Jake Bring Happiness to Children in the Hospital!
In mid-September, Jake, a bright 7-year-old, started experiencing what seemed like a routine earache. After multiple doctor visits, it was discovered that an infection had spread deep into the bone behind his ear, requiring surgery and a week-long stay at Goreby Children’s Hospital. During his time there, Jake experienced the incredible kindness of the nurses, who would bring toys to him and the other children. Seeing how these small gifts could light up the faces of his fellow patients, Jake was inspired to bring joy to more children in hospitals.
Now, Jake wants to help kids who are also facing tough times in the hospital, just like he did. With Project Jake’s Joy, we aim to collect new, unopened toys to donate to hospitals so that more children can experience the happiness that a simple gift can bring.
Join Jake in spreading joy to children in hospitals! Let’s help him make a difference, one toy at a time.
How You Can Help:
- Toy Donations: Drop off new, unopened toys at our donation bin located at 1095 Stillwater Rd, Newton, NJ.
- Monetary Donations: Click the donate button below to fund, and Jake will use the money to create special toy totes filled with fun surprises for kids in hospitals!
Donate $5 Donate $10 Donate $15 Donate $20 Donate $25
The Backstory
Jake’s journey started with what seemed like a simple sniffles and earache. His pediatrician initially thought it was just fluid buildup, but when his symptoms worsened and the left side of his face became paralyzed, we rushed to the hospital for the first time. A few days later we checked in with the school nurse and she said he speech sounded slurred. We rushed to pick him up and headed to Goryeb Children's hospital. He had to go under anesthesia for an MRI. It was discovered that the infection had spread deeply behind his ear and into the bone behind the ear, causing his symptoms. Jake spent 7 days in the hospital undergoing treatment and a surgery and spinal tap.
Despite the tough time, Jake found joy when the nurses brought him toys and saw how happy the other children were as well. It made him realize how much a small act of kindness could brighten a child’s day, and that’s when the idea for Project Jake’s Joy was born. Now, Jake wants to share that same happiness with as many children as possible.
Join Jake in spreading joy to children in hospitals! Let’s help him make a difference, one toy at a time.
How You Can Help:
- Toy Donations: Drop off new, unopened toys at our donation bin located at 1095 Stillwater Rd, Newton, NJ.
- Monetary Donations: Click the donate button below to fund, and Jake will use the money to create special toy totes filled with fun surprises for kids in hospitals!
Donate $5 Donate $10 Donate $15 Donate $20 Donate $25