Often, we make birthday wishes but never see them flourish. However, for Wylie West seventh grader Hunter Thomas this was not the case. Hunter’s birthday wish – to provide Legos for children being treated at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth – came true thanks to the generous support from his classmates, friends, family and the Abilene community.
Hunter, whose birthday was Aug. 29, is familiar with the hospital, having spent a lot of time there due to his own health challenges. His most recent visit was just weeks before his birthday, and it was on this visit that Hunter made his birthday wish. This past Monday (9/9), Hunter and his mom Jamie Thomas delivered 147 sets of Legos.
“It is the largest donation ever,” said Jamie. She described the presentation of the Legos to Cook Children’s community coordinator Meagan Hodges Cook as “amazing and emotional.”
According to Jamie, building Legos has been the best way to help her son keep his mind off his treatments and helps the time go by when he is confined to his hospital room.
Hunter, described by his mom as independent, agreed. “They are very distracting in a good way,” he said. Together, they thought this would be true for other children being treated there, and they were right. Since the Lego sets are given to the children, keeping them on hand is a challenge.
“We were told Legos are the most popular item for kids staying and with over 400 pediatric beds the supply and demand don’t often work out,” said Jamie. “Only twenty sets a week can be allotted to give out.”
Over the couple weeks leading up to his birthday and the one following, the Thomases worked to get the word out on social and local media about Hunter’s birthday wish, and Legos and gift cards started rolling in. Receiving well beyond what they had imagined, Jamie was tasked with fitting all the donations in her car despite Hunter insisting they should get a U-Haul trailer.
Hunter said he enjoyed seeing all the types of Lego donations, which varied from Duplo sets for younger children up to more advanced sets. Jamie emphasized that Legos are an activity parents can do with their children and offer unlimited possibilities since the children can rebuild them as they like.
She also said not all children being treated at the hospital are there due to illness. “Some are here because of certain situations at home, which may require them to have to leave their belongings,” Jamie said.
What started as a birthday wish for Hunter has now become a mission. “We need more Legos so more kids can have them,” he said. Hunter plans to continue collecting Lego donations and with the holidays around the corner hopes to collect Lego advent calendars to promote holiday cheer.
To help Hunter continue his mission, contact Jamie Thomas at jamielthomas79@gmail.com or 214.402.4273.
By Kristen Johnson