LI Girl Loads 'Sleigh' Full Of Toys At Children's Hospital

HOLBROOK, NY — As Sydney O'Sullivan loaded toys from her mother's car to a stretcher decorated to look like Santa Claus' sleigh at Stony Brook Children's Hospital Friday, she had a deep understanding of how impactful they would be for patients.

When the nine-year-old Holbrook resident had the misfortune of landing in the emergency room this summer for treatment of a kidney stone, she was approached by a kind staffer with a toy-in-hand, and it helped take her mind off the ordeal.

It also inspired her to help other children who are facing medical ordeals of their own this holiday season, as some will be in the hospital for Christmas and O'Sullivan thought that she could spread some holiday cheer by donating toys. But she needed a way to pay for them, so she decided to sell chocolate reindeer lollipops with her mother, Karen, to help raise the money.

After posting on social media, she sold over 200 lollipops and raised $600 to buy nearly 50 toys that were donated last Friday — filling a stretcher at the hospital.

"It's not fun to be in the hospital at Christmas, so it will give them a little more Christmas spirit," said O'Sullivan.

By the time O'Sullivan finished unloading her gifts to the hospital, the makeshift sleigh was piled up with toys featuring characters like Captain America, Batman, Princess Elsa from Frozen, and of course, Barbie, a Christmas staple.

Sarah Williams, a nurse and unit educator in Stony Brook's Emergency Department, said that the special toy delivery was made possible after a mutual friend of the O'Sullivans reached out to let her know that O'Sullivan wanted to make a donation, and she contacted her and was able to connect her to hospital officials.

"It really is heartwarming to see them smile when they're here for some of the worst reasons ever," she said.

Williams called O'Sullivan the most amazing nine-year-old she has ever met.

"She really went out of her way when most adults don't even think to do such a thing," she said, adding. "She really emphasizes the Christmas spirit."

Laura Pantusco, a Child Life Specialist at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, said the toys will have a huge impact for "all of our kids."

"It's heartwarming for me to know that Sydney felt so touched by her experience in the pediatric emergency room that she wanted to give back to the kids," she said.

Pantusco explained that it's experiences like O'Sullivan's that motivate her, adding, "That's why I come to work every day."

Karen O'Sullivan said she is proud of her daughter.

“She came up with this idea all on her own and is helping a lot of children," she stated in a news release.