A toy drive in memory of Ella McNellie, the young girl who died in 2011 from a rare form of cancer, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Cranberry Mall.
Ella, who lived in Oil City, was 7 years old when she passed away. She fought her disease called rhabdomyosarcoma for five years.
Ella’s parents, Jessica and Chad McNellie, established the toy drive to honor the memory of Ella and the many cancer patients past and present.
“Ella was the life of the party. She brought so many people joy and happiness,” said Jessica McNellie.
Jessica added that the experience her family had with the staff of Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh was extremely pleasant.
Her parents say that toys are used as a distraction and reward for bravery among patients.
There will be a bake sale at Saturday’s event, and the proceeds from the sale will be used to buy gift cards for the many older and teenage patients at Children’s Hospital.
The collected toys will be driven by the McNellies to the hospital.
“We’ll take the donations down, and I know we’re going to be met with open arms,” said Jessica McNellie.
The hospital hands out the presents at Christmas time to patients.
It’s important not to forget about the older children in the hospital, Jessica said.
She added that gift cards for things like itunes are a popular request for older children, and parents of the patients need things like gas and grocery gift cards.
All toy donations are required by Children’s Hospital to be new, in the original package and unwrapped.
Donations can be dropped off at the Cranberry Mall main entrance between Sears and Bon-Ton.
