7-year-old Lexi Sonneborn is on a mission to collect and donate 2,000 toys for kids at HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, and she’s well on her way.

It all started on her birthday. Rather than traditional cake and balloons, Lexi decided to have a Birthday Paint Party and Toy Drive. She collected several boxes of toys and like a modern, mini Santa, she brought those toys to young patients at St. John’s who couldn’t go home for Christmas...a feeling she knows all to well.

Lexi is no stranger to the hospital. She was born premature at only 27 weeks, and spent her first three months in St. John’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Since then, she has had two surgeries, and has spent four of her seven Christmases in the Pediatric Care Unit.

She didn’t stop at her birthday.

On New Year’s Eve, Lexi told me her resolution was to give 2,000 toys to kids in the hospital, "because they need a little more joy all year long, not just at the holidays".

In an effort to make good on her resolution, we held a Pajama Brunch and Toy Drive where she collected 359 toys and raised $515. The official count is currently at 857 toys and a second event is in the works. But, with the average cost of a single toy between $10-$15, every penny counts!

Lexi even cashed in her change to buy more toys for "the kiddos".

Your donations will be used for Lexi to purchase additional toys to count towards her goal. Donated toys and other items will be given to St. John's Hospital to help comfort kids and ease their fear and anxiety, and treatment milestones or birthdays.

You can also mail new toys to:

Signature Event Rental - 3033 Clearlake Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 (c/o 2000 Toys).

Follow Lexi's progress at: https://www.facebook.com/2000ToysForTheKids/

Thank you for your support.
Beth, Josh, and Lexi