LILY
In September of 2009, Lily’s parents took her to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta after Lily had been complaining of severe stomach pains. Little did they know that Children’s (CHOA) would become their home for the next 3 1/2 years. Lily was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, and given six months to live. She beat the odds, fighting her battle for the next 3 1/2 years. Although there were difficult days, Lily always found the bright side. She chose to Live A Yes life. She took each hard day and made the best of it. Sadly, on December 15, 2012, Lily went to be with Jesus. On the first Anniversary of Lily’s passing, the Anderson’s decided to turn a day of sadness into a day of giving. This was the beginning of what would become an annual Toy Drive for CHOA. Each year on December 15th, Lily’s Toy Drive collects thousands of toys to brighten the lives of children undergoing medical care in CHOA facilities.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Beginning immediately after Lily’s Toy Drive, The Live a Yes Foundation assembles and delivers over 250 special gift bags, ensuring children waking up on Christmas morning in a hospital experience holiday joy. The 7 CHOA Urgent Cares were also outfitted with boxes of toys and are routinely resupplied throughout the year. This year on Valentine’s Day, a Holiday Toy Pop Up Shop was set up in the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center spreading love and glitter to patients stationed on the floor. The Artists in Residence and Radiology Departments are frequently gifted with our boxes of love. Most recently, the Live a Yes Foundation has stocked the Food Pantry on the Aflac floor and participated in fulfilling special requests from Scottish Rite and Egleston.
LILY’S TOY DRIVE
Each year, on December 15th, The Live a Yes Foundation hosts our biggest toy drive and fundraiser, known lovingly throughout the community as Lily’s Toy Drive. Over the past 7 years, over 20,000 toys have been collected. Lily’s Toy Drive is the largest provider of toys, arts, crafts and gift cards for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and sustains their needs throughout the whole year. In the past, individuals, schools and businesses have signed on as Santa Stops, to assist in toy collection leading up to the actual event; local vendors and artists participated in our Holiday Shop and the night culminated in the lighting of the tree in Vickery Village.
This year, Lily’s Toys will look a little different.
As we strive to be mindful of the current situation, observe social distancing protocols and ensure we are protecting our most vulnerable friends, The Live a Yes Foundation is partnering with CHOA for the 1st Annual Holiday Shop at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta-Scottish Rite Holiday Shop on December 23rd and 24th.
In place of our annual physical toy drive, the Live a Yes Foundation, along with our generous donors and sponsors will stock the shelves of the Holiday Shop through an Amazon Wish List. This will give parents of patients hospitalized during Christmas the opportunity to shop for their children in the hospital with specially selected items. These gifts will be wrapped and delivered to their rooms on Christmas morning!
Make the holidays a little brighter for our CHOA families and shop the Holiday Shop or make a financial contribution to the Live a Yes Foundation!
