Stories

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The Bottomless Toy Chest



Mickey Guisewite’s life was forever changed when her son was diagnosed with leukemia.  The typical day-to-day “worrys” she had as a mother of a teenager were quickly replaced with concerns and conversations regarding her son’s critical health.  When her son began treatment, they were in the hospital 24/7 for days and sometimes weeks at a time.   During that period, her family was lucky to have a strong support system to help with the extra challenges they faced.  Thankfully, Mickey’s son responded to treatment and was able to pick up where he left off as a healthy, active teenager

Despite the positive outcome for her family, Mickey frequently reflects back on the time she spent in the hospital when she witnessed firsthand the many of struggles parents face when their child is diagnosed with cancer.  Not only are families consumed with the stress of their child’s health, their financial resources are often completely upended as parents juggle their jobs to maintain health insurance coverage while still needing to be with their child during treatment.  In many cases, these circumstances leave a tight budget and purchases such as activities and toys to help the sick child pass the time during their hospital stay have to go on the back burner.  

Her experience inspired Mickey to start The Bottomless Toy Chest, an organization devoted to delivering empowering toys, craft projects and interactive activities to hospitalized oncology patients. The organization’s mission is to lift the spirits and promote a positive state of mind in young cancer patients by providing them with engaging, empowering activities while they are going through treatment. 

Our team at SHARE Detroit has been lucky enough to become acquainted with the efforts of this wonderful organization.  This year, the organization will provide 30,000 toys to children in need of extra smiles.  Since BTC was founded in 2009, the organization has served children in 17 different hospitals both in Michigan and throughout the United States. 

Here are some wonderful ways to get involved and support the work of The Bottomless Toy Chest.    
  • In August, BTC is giving new backpacks full of school supplies to children fighting sickle cell disease. In addition to the backpacks, each child will also receive a personalized gift basket full of games and fun toys!  Items are still needed to fill these backpacks and baskets.  You can check out the items needed on their wish list by visiting The Bottomless Toy Chest SHARE Detroit page here.
  • This fall, The Bottomless Toy Chest has internship opportunities for sophomore, junior and senior college students.  The interns at BTC are valued members of the organization’s team with responsibilities that assist with philanthropic efforts and operational support.  This is an unpaid internship with the expectation to work 2-3 day per week for  13-20 hours at the warehouse headquarters in Troy, MI. 
If you are a college student interested in interning at The Bottomless Toy Chest, please apply at https://sharedetroit.org/fall-2021-internship-opportunity-help-bring-smiles-kids-cancer

SAVE THE DATE - UPDATED!

  2021 No-Show Bottomless Bowl
 
We were hoping to bowl in person this year, but out of an abundance of caution for everyone, we’ve decided to have another no-show event. Instead of lacing up those bowling shoes, please put on your comfy slippers and help us raise the funds we need to keep bringing toys and smiles to children facing life-threatening illnesses during a global pandemic. 
 
Snuggle up to your computer and bid on items in our online silent auction starting on November 8 and building to a thrilling conclusion and announcement of winners on November 12. It’s all happening on our website www.bottomlesstoychest.org. If you would like to donate an item to our silent auction please contact Alison McShane at alison@bottomlesstoychest.org or 248-646-8931.
 

If you would like to be a sponsor for this year’s No-Show Bottomless Bowl, please fill out the sponsorship form online at www.bottomlesstoychest.org . Please call or email Kayla Allen our Director of Operations if you have any questions: 248-646-8931 or kayla@bottomlesstoychest.org.

Thank you so much for your support!

rg

Event Page URL: https://sharedetroit.org/2021-bottomless-bowl-fundraiser
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