DANVILLE, Pa. — Last month, Anne Marie Olexa's life was turned upside down when her family was in a car crash. Both her young sons were taken to Janet Weis Children's Hospital. Eden, age 7, is still there.
"They call it a roller coaster, and it really is, and I feel like the roller coaster is going up," Olexa said.
The Olexas and some other families will spend Christmas at Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital near Danville. That means they haven't been able to do much shopping. Thankfully, Geisinger makes that a little easier with its toy shop.
"We've got things for our teens, our school-age patients; also our toddlers and infants, patients that are from the NICU, intensive care unit, and our other floors," Child Life Specialist Haley Sarge said.
Every year, people drop off thousands of toys for the kids at Janet Weis Children's Hospital. Families admitted to the children's hospital over the holidays are invited to shop.
"Just get some toys throughout the holiday season that they may not have because they're not home with their families," Sarge said.
Folks at Geisinger Medical Center brought Christmas shopping to parents, giving them a break and some normalcy in their day.
"It's definitely more difficult being in a room and having Santa coming every day and delivering gifts. So, I think this is wonderful to have," Olexa said.
"Getting to shop for their children, and they are so appreciative, as well as us, for this experience we get to offer them," Sarge said.
Families will have the opportunity to shop on Wednesday and Thursday as well.