Westyn's Wish: Local Toy Drive Continues to Grow

Left: Westyn Genens; Right: Parents Jeff and Sarah Genens and daughter Ivy drop off toys at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn in December 2013. Credit: Submitted photos.

Westyn Genens’ life may have lasted just a few short months, but his legacy continues to spread Christmas cheer to kids facing the holidays in the hospital.

Now, a toy drive founded by the Joliet infant’s parents, Sarah and Jeff Genens, is spreading throughout the suburbs.

Born with congenital heart defects, baby Westyn died in August 2007.

Each Christmas since then, the Genens — joined now by Westyn’s little sisters Ivy, 6, and Paisley, 8 months old — have worked to keep his memory alive by spreading joy to hospitalized kids.

Toys collected for Westyn’s Wish are distributed to children spending the holidays at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn each December.

This year, the Genens hope to surpass last year’s goal of 1,500 toys.

Want to help? Drop off new, unwrapped toys for all ages — from infants through age 18 — at any of the following locations between Dec. 1 and Dec. 20.

Joliet:
Heartland Blood Center, 121 Springfield Ave.
Karges Realty, 208 N. Larkin Ave.
Moonstep Productions, 1523 Plainfield Rd., suite 5 60435
Rick’s RV Center, 4360 W. Jefferson St.
Salon David Anthony, 2621 W. Jefferson St.
Symphony of Joliet, 306 N. Larkin Ave.

Plainfield:
Healing Pathways Chiropractic, Suite 113 East, 23909 W. Renwick Rd.
Interstate All Battery, 11912 S. Spaulding School Dr.
Northern Insurance, 24040 W. Lockport St.

Frankfort:
The Grachan Agency - Farmers Insurance, 20855 S. Lagrange Rd., Ste 200
Primary Eyecare Professionals, 10379 W. Lincoln Highway

Tinley Park:
Sweet Ladies Baking, 17016 Oak Park Ave.

New Lenox:
Lancaster Eye Care, 402 E. Lincoln Highway (Rte. 30)

Crest Hill:
Reza’s Auto Repair, 2386 Jorie Ct.

Mount Greenwood:
The Lockbox, 3400 W 111th St.

Romeoville:
Planet Chiropractic, 432 N. Weber Rd.

Rockdale:
Marino Truck and Equipment Repair, 604 Elm Ct.