Cherish Sibley, originally from Waukegan and now moving back here from Texas, said she is used to being in the hospital for some holidays because her son, 2-year-old Ryan King, is an “incubaby” — born at 27 weeks and sometimes in need hospital care because he was premature.
She said she’s hoping they won’t spend Christmas in the hospital, but it’s possible.
“We’ll find out in a couple of days,” she said last week.
On Friday, Sibley was excited when Waukegan firefighters arrived to bring toys to kids in the pediatric ward. It’s something members of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 473 have done for decades, and they also give presents and leave extras behind in the emergency room as well for the little ones who find themselves there over the holidays.
“Nobody wants to be in the hospital around Christmas, so it’s always nice to bring a smile to their face in their time of difficulty,” said firefighter/paramedic Scott Vandenbroucke. “It’s nice having the community come together and bring some joy into these children’s lives.”
Lt. Michael Schejbal rounded up help from the mayor’s office, Topline Transportation, PetSmart and other donors, and they collected almost a dozen bags of gifts.
“We’re happy to bring a little more joy into their lives while they heal,” he said in a post at the Local 473 Facebook page.
Sibley’s son, Ryan, loved the toy truck he received as he shouted “Car! Car!” Ryan also received a new set of coloring books and a big, fresh box of crayons for coloring, something his mother says he loves to do.
Sibley said her son also got a kick out of carolers who came in to sing songs on Thursday. Stephanie Vera, marketing manager for Vista Health Systems, said the hospital welcomed a handful of singers from State Career College in Waukegan.
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“Ryan came out of his room and he was so happy,” she said. “We had patients peeking out the doors and smiling and some sang along. It’s nice to make them feel better when they are not feeling so good.”
Waukegan Fire Chief George Bridges Jr. as well as some commanders came out to support his personnel in this annual event.
“”This supports the community, so I am out here supporting them,” he said.
Vista Medical Center East CEO Norm Stephens recalled a few years back when he first came to the hospital system and witnessed the firefighters’ visit for the first time.
“It was unique. I never saw anything like it before,” he said, adding that the toy distribution helps relieve stress among parents as well. “Anything to cheer them up and direct their minds away from their problems is good.”