Wonder Works donates 7,000 toys: 4/1

return to The Catalyst home page

Wonder Works donates 7,000 toys

The Happy Wheels cart that provides toys and books to children at MUSC’s Children’s Hospital will be fuller now thanks to a fundraiser held by the toy store Wonder Works.

Christine Osborne, owner Of Wonder Works located in Mount. Pleasant and West Ashley, donated 7,000 toys to MUSC Children's Hospital on March 29 as a result of the store’s ‘Facebook Toy FunRaiser’ that benefited Happy Wheels. Osborne said the day was a highlight for her. "This was my very favorite day ever, in 22 years, of being a part of the Wonder Works magic."

The so-called Week of Wonder took place Dec. 1-7 and was led by 10-year-old Harper Drolet. For every new person who ‘liked’ the busniess’ Facebook page, Wonder Works donated a toy to Happy Wheels. Osborne also contacted toy companies that have provided toys to Wonder Works for 22 years to add to the supplies.

Jackie Shealy, a children’s hospital volunteer, said it has been a fun campaign. "We're so touched that the community got so involved in the Wonder Works Facebook FunRaiser," Shealy said. "There are so many toys that we are now in need of a climate-controlled storage unit to store them. The kids look forward to Thursdays and just knowing we can give a toy away to every single child for the rest of this year is beyond words. It means so much."

Drolet, a Charleston resident and a former MUSC patient, volunteered to lead the fundraiser. "The Happy Wheels cart means so much to all us kids at the hospital, and this Facebook event has really made a difference for all of us. I'm so proud to have been a part of it all."

MUSC President Ray Greenberg thanked Osborne for the donation. "It makes me proud to have alums like you who are so involved with doing good for the community and clearly derive so much energy and excitement from your volunteer efforts."

Osborne said the campaign is a way to give back to the community. "Happy Wheels is near and dear to our hearts, and we thank everyone who supported this cause, especially Harper Drolet, our amazing leader. Because of Harper and this incredible community, every single child receiving treatment at MUSC this year will receive a toy."

Wonder Works will continue the fundraiser on Facebook through 2011. For every new person who ‘likes’ http://www.facebook.com/wonderworkstoys in 2011, the company will donate a toy to Happy Wheels.

The following companies assisted in donating toys to MUSC: Around the Table, Cloud B, Faber Castell, Ganz ID GEAR, Manhattan Toys, Marky Sparky, Melissa & Doug, Mindtwister, Nowstalgic Toys, Safari Ltd., Scratch Art, ToySmith, Westminister and Winning Moves.

Their trucks started rolling in with product for Happy Wheels on March 29 at the Wonder Works store in Mount Pleasant, where Christine Osborne handed toys to Jackie Shealy and MUSC President Dr. Ray Greenberg.

Friday, April 1, 2011

The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.