An annual toy drive to benefit The Yale New Haven Children's Hospital of Connecticut. Help us reach o That first year, about 400 toys were given.
This toy drive is the brainchild of a little girl who, while recovering from surgery to remove a life-threatening brain tumor, taught scores of others about true generosity. Milford resident, Phoebe French, became a patient at Yale- New Haven Children’s Hospital on 12/19/96, after an MRI revealed a large brain tumor in her cerebellum. Phoebe, who was 2 ½ years old at the time, underwent emergency
surgery two days later, and was dubbed “Phenom” by the hospital staff due to her undaunted spirit and her unusually rapid recovery from this type of surgery. Phoebe came home on Christmas Eve – but not before she noticed a little boy in the room next to her, who had few visitors and no toys. As we were beginning to leave, she asked if she could give her Barney doll to the child next door. The memories of that moment spurred our first effort at a toy drive in 1997. In 2011, we collected over 3,000, and we hope that this number continues to grow! We thank everyone who has donated in the past and hope you and many others will donate again this year. With everyone’s help we will bring happiness for the holidays to sick and frightened children. Thank you in advance for your generosity! Remember, miracles do happen!
