Local students lead toy drive

Fifty local high school students coordinated a toy drive for children staying in the hospital for an extended period of time.

The students are all members of Glendale's Mayor's Youth Advisory Commission and chose Andrea's Closet at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center as the group's beneficiary.

Andrea's Closet is a toy program at the Glendale hospital designed to bring pediatric patients comfort and distraction from their pain by allowing them to choose a special gift from the toy-filled closet.

"We wanted to do something positive for kids who may not necessarily be having the best of times," said MYAC President Megan Miller, who is a senior at Mountain Ridge High School. "So we chose Andrea's Closet because we felt it was a good way to connect with local children in our community."

MYAC members set up collection bins at their respective high schools for students to drop off toys.

On April 25, the youth council members and Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs toured the hospital, handing out the collected toys.

"Donating a toy may seem like a small gesture, but it can go a long way in aiding a child facing a medical procedure," said Bo Larson, public relations director at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center. "We applaud the efforts of the mayor's youth commission for initiating this community service project that will benefit our younger patients."