As a child, Brooke Moriarity spent a lot of time at BC Children's Hospital to treat migraines, an affliction she inherited from both her parents that often caused her visual strain.
Being placed at the Vancouver hospital for so long, the Port Moody girl got to know many of the doctors, nurses and youth workers on duty.
But now that her pounding headaches have eased, the 14-year-old Grade 9 Heritage Woods secondary student wants to give back and make a difference at the institution that helped heal her.
As part of the 15-member BC Children's Hospital youth action committee, which she joined two years ago, Moriarity was involved with the team that served Valentine's Day hot chocolate and treats to the sick kids on the various wards.
And for Christmas, Moriarity wants the kids who have to spend their holidays inside to get a bit of extra love from the outside.
Over the next three weeks, Moriarity plans to collect dozens of toys - from dolls of characters from the hugely popular animated movie Frozen to Transformer robots - as well as cash to hand out to youths on Dec. 23.
"It's important to remember who is in the hospital at this time of year," she said. "It's no fun for them and we need to lift their spirits."
In just a week, Moriarity has raised about $200 from businesses for the cause. Two companies have also agreed to be drop-off stations during the toy drive: Healing Cedar Wellness (8-3130 St. Johns St., Port Moody) and Pillars Salon (4256 Hastings St., Burnaby). As well, the new Eagle Mountain middle school nearby in Anmore has signed on to help.
Moriarity is asking donors to supply new, unwrapped gifts for boys and girls under the age of 18 - but, for health and safety reasons, not stuffed animals.
For more information, email [email protected].
@jwarrenTC
