A first-grader at Soleng Tom Elementary School has taken show-and-tell to another level, using the opportunity to start a schoolwide effort.
Last month Audrey Edwards, 7, decided she would share her new friend, Fuzzy Bear, with her classmates.
The little pink bear covered in hearts was a gift she received from Andrea's Closet at Tucson Medical Center, which aims to bring comfort and distraction to children facing medical treatment.
Audrey was taken to the hospital March 31 after suffering second-degree burns to her arm and leg when she was accidentally splashed by a pot of scalding water.
While at TMC, doctors worked to get Audrey's pain under control and dressed her burns. Before leaving, she was taken to Andrea's Closet, where she came across Fuzzy Bear.
The accident resulted in Audrey missing a few days of school, but upon going back, she decided to take Fuzzy Bear with her and tell her classmates about Andrea's Closet. She asked her teacher if her classmates could bring in other new toys to help keep it stocked.
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"I though they could get more toys, so if a lot of kids have to go there, they won't run out," Audrey said.
"Her teacher suggested that they ask the whole school to help out and Audrey's eyes just lit up," said Audrey's mother, Jenna Edwards.
From there, the 7-year-old was in full planning mode, helping to design the flier that would promote the effort. Boxes were set up in the school's hallways, and jars were placed in classrooms for those who wanted to give monetary donations.
Now, with only a few days left in the toy drive, Audrey has collected four garbage bags full of new goodies.
"This doesn't surprise me, but it does impress me," Jenna Edwards said of her daughter's idea. "She's such a giver - it's just part of who she is.
"She really is raising awareness about Andrea's Closet, because so many people don't know about it, which is great because that means they haven't experienced something traumatic to be exposed to it," Jenna Edwards said.
Oscar Dotson, principal of Soleng Tom, 10520 E. Camino Quince, called the effort a great learning experience.
"When kids have a passion, it's great to see their leadership skills develop - that's something we try to foster," Dotson said. "Walking around the hallways, we've really had a great response. It's not totally surprising, because this is a school that steps up to the plate when it comes to helping the community."
Did you know
Andrea's Closet is named for Andrea Brunk of Phoenix, who was 8 when she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2000. After enduring 18 months of treatment, Andrea died in January 2002. Her parents, Traci and Kenny Brunk, started the program in Phoenix, and it is now in several Arizona hospitals.
How to help
• Andrea's Closet gifts can generally be worth about $5 to $10. The donated toys must be new.
• To donate a NEW and UNOPENED toy, call 324-1154. All toys and gifts will go into the Andrea's Closet at Tucson Medical Center.
• For information, go to www.tmcaz.com/TucsonMedicalCenter/Pediatrics/Resources/Andreas-Closet
Contact reporter Alexis Huicochea at ahuicochea@azstarnet.com or 573-4175.
