Brady Spencer, 13, of Glasgow, poses while sitting at his family’s kitchen table. He is leading the effort to collect toy donations for children this holiday season.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — A local teenager is behind an effort to donate as many toys as he can to hospitalized children this holiday season.
Brady Spencer, 13, of Glasgow, started the effort about five years ago. He calls it, “Brady’s Toy Drive,” and it returns every year with hopes that more and more toys will be donated.
“I decided that I wanted to do toy drive for other kids at Norton’s because while I was there I saw a lot of kids that just looked pitiful,” he said. “I just want to help some people out.”
What began as digestion problems and severe dehydration spiraled into an eventual kidney failure diagnosis. Brady was just 8.
While undergoing treatment and a stay at Norton Children’s Hospital, Brady learned about the act of service. Staff brought various toys and items to comfort him.
“It just made me get my mind off the situation that was going on,” he said.
Following Brady’s treatment was an ignition to serve others. He started the toy drive with hopes of spreading cheer to children and teens at Norton Children’s Hospital in tough circumstances. That effort continues for its fifth year.
Jeny Spencer, Brady’s mother, said donations usually end up in their kitchen and are stacked on the kitchen table. They then gather them into boxes and deliver them to the hospital.
“You want to be a blessing, but you’re the one who ends up getting blessed,” she said.
Brady’s Toy Drive seeks toys that can be played with in a small space or in a hospital bed such as clay, puzzles, crafts, dolls, coloring books, cards, etc. All donations will be provided to children and teenagers.
Last year’s donations were given to Norton Children’s Hospital and Jennings Creek Elementary in Warren County following deadly tornadoes that ravaged parts of central and western Kentucky. They will be donated to those entities this year, too.
Donations are being accepted through Nov. 30. Toys and items must be new and may be dropped at PJ’s College of Cosmetology or Debbie’s Salon in Glasgow.
