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Elijah Feigenbaum, an 11-year-old from Toledo, knows how dreary it can be to spend the holiday season in the hospital.

While he was all smiles in the Lewis County commissioners’ chamber Tuesday morning, Feigenbaum was in a much different position just three years ago when he found himself recovering from a ruptured appendix at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma.

In total, Feigenbaum’s recovery lasted nearly three weeks.

“During that time, I received wonderful care from the staff at the hospital,” Feigenbaum said. “But I also received items that had been donated by generous people. Those items helped to keep me occupied during my recovery and helped me to keep my spirits lifted during those long hospital days.”

That’s why, following his recovery, Feigenbaum has held an annual toy drive to support other children who find themselves in a similar position.

“It brought me so much joy when I helped deliver the toys to the hospital that I just knew we needed to continue doing so,” Feigenbaum said.

On Tuesday, Feigenbaum launched his efforts for the upcoming holiday season and placed a donation box inside the lobby of the Lewis County Community Development building, located at 125 NW Chehalis Ave. in downtown Chehalis.

Donations will be accepted between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and Elijah and his family plan to make two donations to Mary Bridge, on Dec. 13 and Jan. 3.

Donations can include toys for infants and toddlers, books, Play-Doh, Hot Wheels, board and card games, among others. Food and candy, used items, collections and knitted or crocheted items will not be accepted.

An Amazon wishlist with suggested donation items can be found at https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/FDAD3AUPEPW3/. 

Feigenbaum suggested donations of card games or other two-player games so patients can play with their parents.

“Just games to keep them occupied during their time,” Feigenbaum said.

Feigenbaum will share his story later this week at the 38th annual Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Foundation’s Festival of Trees in Tacoma.