TO GIVE TO INSPIRE | Macyn’s Jars, Now Available at Central DuPage Hospital

Providing Mason Jars Full of Fidget Toys for Children and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities who Find Themselves in an Ambulance or at the Emergency Room

WINFIELD–Having to visit a hospital emergency room is stressful, but for children or adults with intellectual disabilities, not quite understanding what is happening, serves up another layer of fear. After a personal emergency room visit, Kellyn Vandewalker experienced such generosity from her community, it made her and her family want to find a way to give back.

In the winter of 2021, Kellyn was attacked by a dog while babysitting and was rushed to the hospital, then quickly transferred to Chicago because the bridge of her nose was gone. A few days later, her family started a Go Fund Me page to help mitigate the expenses that Kellyn and her husband, Alec, would endure during the following months and surgeries. The Go Fund Me donations opened their eyes to the generosity of their community. “We knew our friends and family would help support us,” says Kellyn, “but when it mattered, the entire community rallied. It was a humbling experience.” As a family, they wanted to find a way to give back, and came up with a way to provide a small comfort to those needing it.

Kellyn and her four sisters had an idea to create mason jars full of fidget toys to be handed out to the children or adults with intellectual disabilities that find themselves in an ambulance or the emergency room. “To see a kid who is terrified, change expressions to a huge smile – that is what makes our team smile,” says Kellyn. Creating a 501c3 and naming it Macyn’s Jars, the organization is now expanding into multiple hospitals a month. This month they announced the addition of Central DuPage Hospital which not only has one of the biggest pediatric ERs in the area, but also will be handing the jars out on the pediatric floor.

To donate to Macyn’s Jars and help them expand to many more hospitals, visit their website at www.macynsjars.org where you will find a donor box or a link to visit their Amazon wish list to purchase jar fillers.

www.macynsjars.org

ABOUT THE WRITER

Mindy Kyle is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and is a veteran of Chicago’s theater and commercial world as well as a graduate of the Second City Improv School. Mindy lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dogs in the land.