HONESDALE, PA — Recent pediatric patients at Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH) braved their way through surgery with a little help from Jared Boxes. 

Cason Mack and his mom Shalene Mack donned some silly glasses back in September, to brighten their day a bit while in pre- and post-op waiting. 

This month, Elizabeth Canfield was treated like royalty, complete with her own princess crown. She’s the daughter of certified nurse aide Sarah Canfield. Elizabeth also received a handmade pillowcase to take home. Linda Vega, R.N., gave each family a Jared Box filled with small toys and activities—the boxes are distracting and fun.

“The stuff the community provides makes it better for children when they have to come here,” she said.

Jared Boxes are named for Jared McMullen, a central Pennsylvania boy diagnosed with an incurable brainstem tumor in 1999. He always carried a backpack with toys and games to his appointments and shared them with other children. He died in November 2000. To honor Jared, his classmates created boxes filled with toys and games for pediatric patients, and that inspired a movement of over a million boxes to hospitals nationwide. 

Locally, WMH has received Jared Box donations from individuals and organizations including the Salem Community Church in Hamlin and, earlier this year, Brook Chapman’s Day Care in Waymart.

It’s not uncommon for a child to feel a little anxious or scared while at a medical facility. Jared Boxes have become a gift of play to children in the hospital. 

To find out more, visit www.jaredbox.org. 

Contributed by Wayne Memorial Hospital.