
CHICAGO (CBS) — A toy drive that has put smiles on the faces of hospitalized children for nearly 15 years has come to an end.
Sue Staehely’s son, Mark, started the toy drive in 2000, getting people to donate 150 toys to the pediatric cancer unit at Children’s Memorial Hospital – now Lurie Children’s Hospital.
READ MORE: Chicago Weather: Breezy On TuesdayBy last year, the toy count was more than 80,000, but that turned out to be the final toy drive for Staehely and the organizers of the annual toy drive.
“I’ve asked these folks for 14 years to pretty much give up their Christmas to help me carry on what Mark started,” she said.
Staehely said she’ll continue collecting money for pediatric cancer research through her son’s foundation, Make Your Mark, but now she’ll be spending the holidays with her 17-month-old granddaughter.
READ MORE: Staffer In Gov. Pritzker's Office Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Getting First Dose Of Vaccine“I just want to really be able to enjoy her this holiday,” she said.