This is a toy story of sorts, except it happens in a hospital during this hot New Jersey summer, with Santa Claus and children, cops and former cops, and superheroes moving among all the characters and animals.
The ratio of toy to child was at least 100 to 1 when four-year-old Grayson walked into the room with his mother, Esmeralda Velazquez. While the rest of New Jersey endures the summer heat at the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, it was Christmas in July, and there was joy in the Boscamp Solarium where the holiday season was on display.
“You like cars,” Esmeralda said to her son, Grayson, as he took in the sight of the hundreds of toys in front of him.
Grayson picked a big box that houses a truck and a few cars. Light on his feet, he almost danced out of the room.
“This all makes me feel really good. You know, you bring your child to the hospital, and you expect that they will be well taken care of, but this is extra,” said Esmeralda as Grayson made his trucks sing beeps. “A lot of kids are really scared when they come to a hospital. This is our first time in a hospital since he was born here. For the hospital and the police to do something like this for the kids is special; taking their minds off the reality of what’s going on is special and fun. It’s really awesome, and it makes me happy as a mom.”
This midsummer Christmas is the work of the New Jersey Police Honor Legion (NJHL), continuing a nearly two-decade-long tradition. The event is the legacy of Timothy Sullivan, a 50-year veteran of the Wood-Ridge Fire Department and a first responder on September 11, 2001.
While undergoing his cancer treatment at Hackensack University Medical Center, he saw the parallel struggles of the hospital’s youngest patients and was inspired to create Christmas in July. Though Mr. Sullivan passed away in 2022, his legacy of compassion continues to thrive through the NJHL’s annual toy drive.
Each year, the Sanzari Child Life team collaborates with the NJHL to transform the Boscamp Solarium into a wonderland of toys. Red and green streamers hang, music plays and hundreds of gifts wait to be selected by the children.
For the 19th year, the celebration was a welcome escape for the young patients and their families. Only the calendar said it was not Christmas. In a festive atmosphere of Christmas and tropical decorations, children met Santa Claus, some elves, comic book superheroes, and real-life hero cops. They picked their own gift, and also enjoyed pizza and snacks. Adding to the fun was Primo, one of Hackensack Meridian Health’s therapy dogs, who offered fluffy companionship, all dressed up in his own miniature Santa coat.
“This day is about bringing joy and a little bit of normalcy to the children,” said Marissa Samaan, a senior Child Life Specialist. “This collaboration makes sure that every child in the Children’s Hospital gets some holiday cheer early.”
“The toy drive provides a much-needed boost for children at various stages of their treatment. Dr. Alfin Vicencio, Chair of Pediatrics at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, explained, “There are some kids that are here that’ll be here for a day or two then go home, and other children who are coming from our oncology clinic that might be going through a few years of treatment.”
“You cannot say thank you enough to the magic that the Legion provides for our patients,” added Dr. Vicencio.