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Cycle Supply revs up drive for kids in hospital
BOARDMAN
Megan Stevens was so thankful for her healthy son that she decided to collect gifts for those who aren’t as lucky.
Stevens is co-owner of Youngstown Cycle Supply, 6915 Market St, and for the second year she’s gathering donations for patients at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley, which is near her store.
Inspired by her 2-year-old son, Marek Stevens, and friends who have had children with illnesses, Stevens wanted to give to the hospital “because we know where it’s going.”
“We hear the helicopter all the time. We heard it more and more often and we thought, ‘These kids could use some help,’” Stevens said.
Youngstown Cycle Supply serves as the drop-off point for new, unwrapped toys. The most in-demand items are books, Lego building blocks, remote control cars, dolls and Fisher Price toys.
“We are always in need of new toys. ...We like to give every patient a new blanket and a bear, something that can help comfort them while they’re in the hospital,” said JoAnn Stock, the hospital’s director of development.
Toys must be new to help control the risk of infection, she said. Patients keep their toys with them during their stay and can take them home, Stock added.
She said the Mahoning Valley has been very generous, from twin 6-year-old girls donating their birthday gifts to business support from Cycle Supply, Starbucks and Barnes & Noble.
“The community has been very, very supportive with the in-kind donations like toys, books and also financial, as well. Since we announced the opening of the Beeghly campus in Boardman in 2008, Mahoning Valley donors have raised over $5 million and every dollar we raise stays in our community,” she said.
Another part of Cycle Supply’s contribution is spearheading a holiday decoration competition among Market Street businesses.
“We want to brighten up the street so it looks more like Christmas. We wanted it to be fun for people going to work,” said Stevens, who co-owns the business with her dad, Jim Nadasky.
Stevens will give the first batch of donations to the hospital Dec. 23 and will continue the collection until Jan. 7.