The patients of Texas Children’s Hospital are in for a surprise this holiday season with the Student Council Toy Drive coming to an end. The drive will be distributing donated toys and blankets to patients in the hospital to spread some holiday cheer. All toy donations had to be new toys and blankets had to be homemade. They were due to Ms. Weaver’s room 2608, by December 8th.

“I definitely think even just one gift can definitely make a difference,” Student Council Secretary senior Tanaya Behramsha said. “Getting a gift just out of nowhere, it’ll definitely make someone smile.”

But the children are not the only ones benefiting from the drive. Students received 1 service hour for toys and 1 hour for blankets, but they didn’t just receive a physical gain.

“I think it’s more of a humbling experience. It’s the Christmas time of year and it’s a lot when kids here get gifts; we tend to forget sometimes how fortunate we are, so it’s just a chance to give back.” Behramsha said.

The drive resonates within the hearts of some Lobos like Behramsha and Zachary Bencal.

“I was admitted to the hospital there [Texas Children’s Hospital] a couple of times, and it’s really nice that students are giving back,” Behramsha said. “I’m really glad that we do this— I hope that, even after I graduate, that Student Council continues to do it, because it’s a really good cause and I appreciate it.”

Zachary Bencal is the Vice President in Student Council. Donating toys and blankets was an easy way for him to give back to the Texas Children’s Hospital, which impacts the lives of children and adults as old as 20.

“It’s a sad thing when a child is not being able to live as opposed to an adult that’s already lived,” Bencal said. “I think it’s important that we do something to help them if we can. It means a lot to them.”

Donating toys and blankets gives these children and young adults a chance to experience the gift of giving.

“By being in this hospital they’re losing a lot of their childhood, so this can give back to them a little bit.” Bencal said.

So why did the toys and blankets have to be new and homemade?

“Since these gifts are going to hospital patients, their immune systems are not as strong and the hospital asked us to bring new ones, so to keep from patients from contracting any sort of common colds or any sort of germs,” Behramsha said.