‘Westyn’s Wish’ Provides Holiday Cheer for Sick Kids

Jeff and Sarah Genens never got to spend a Christmas with their son. But each year, the Joliet couple celebrates his life by bringing joy to children spending the holidays in the hospital.

Born with numerous congenital heart defects, Westyn was three months old when he died in August 2007.

“Our first Christmas without him, we just wanted to do something,” mom Sarah said. The couple decided to donate toys in Westyn’s memory to children spending Christmas at in Oak Lawn — the same hospital where Westyn underwent heart surgery at just two days old.

“There are so many kids there,” Sarah said. “We just want them to be happy on Christmas.”

The hospital treats critically ill children, including cardiac and cancer patients, from throughout Chicagoland and all over the world.

Since 2007, Jeff and Sarah have spent the month before Christmas collecting toys. Just before the holidays, they load them into the back of their pickup truck and deliver them to Hope staff. The toys are distributed to children in the pediatric intensive care unit during in time for Christmas, with any remaining toys given to new patients throughout the year.

Businesses get involved

This year, two local businesses have jumped on board to help the couple spread holiday cheer.

will collect toys at its Romeoville office, 432 N. Weber Road.

Chiropractic assistant Chris Bolin said while the office will collect toys until the end of December, patients can take advantage of “Patient Appreciation Day” specials through Dec. 19. Current patients who donate a toy worth $20 or more will be entered into a prize raffle, while new patients will have $20 in exam fees waived.

Bohlin said employees wanted to get involved with a local toy drive as a way of giving back this year.

“I happened upon this, and I was really moved by the story,” he said.

“It’s something I wanted to be a part of,” Bohlin added. “Driving up in a big pickup truck full of toys — who doesn’t want to be a part of that?

You don’t have to be a Planet Chiropractic patient to help. Community members can drop off toys during regular office hours, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

“We’re just trying to get everyone involved,” Bohlin said, adding the toy drive has generated a “huge positive response” so far from patients and staff.

Heartland Blood Centers’ Joliet location, 121 Springfield Ave., is also serving as a drop-off site. Throughout the month of December, area residents who donate blood along with a toy will receive a T-shirt while supplies last. From Dec. 18 to 31, blood donors who chip in a toy will also get a $10 gift card.

This is the first year that local businesses have pitched in to help with Westyn’s Wish, Sarah said.

“I’m super excited,” she said. 

Westyn’s Wish

Westyn’s Wish accepts donations of new toys for children from birth through age 18. For older kids and teens, donations of DVDs, CDs and iTunes gift cards are also appreciated.

If you can’t make it to a drop-off site, the couple is also willing to pick up donations, Sarah said.

To request a pick up, or for more information on the toy drive, email Sarah at westynswish@gmail.com.

Monetary donations are also welcome.

“If people don’t have time to buy toys, we take donations,” Sarah said. “Then I do one shopping trip with the donations.”

Though it started out as a small effort supported by friends and family, Westyn’s Wish has grown each year, according to Sarah.

Westyn’s little sister, Ivy, 3, is even getting in on the act. The tot knows the toys are being collected in memory of her brother. So far, Sarah said, she hasn’t tried to claim any for herself.

“Her eyes get really big when she sees the pile of toys,” Sarah added with a laugh. “I tell her that we collect toys for sick kids in the hospital. This year she’s definitely understanding more.”

For more information, visit the Westyn’s Wish page on Facebook.