The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Woman spearheads volunteer efforts to make Easter baskets
Willowick resident Stacy Andrulis has worked with volunteers to assemble Easter baskets for terminally ill children for the last three years.
When Andrulis took over the project, baskets were being delivered to Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland. Because of what Andrulis describes as overwhelming generosity, the project this year will include Jeremy Cares which will deliver baskets to children at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland and to Birthright Lake County to help parents in need provide baskets for their children.
“I got involved with Hospice because it was so heartbreaking,” Andrulis said. “This takes the burden off of their parents or whoever would get baskets for them.”
She said that it makes her happy to know these kids are going to get a basket. She described the baskets that volunteers make and drop off as absolutely phenomenal.
Volunteers shop for items and assemble the baskets before dropping them off to her, she said. One volunteer will be delivering 25 Build-A-Bears for the baskets this year, she said.
She ensures the baskets are filled and appropriate and facilitates the distribution.
Toward the beginning of April the receiving organizations will pick up the baskets from Andrulis and deliver to the children for Easter.
Although more than 150 baskets were donated last year, Andrulis doesn’t have a set goal for this year. The more baskets are donated, the more organizations she can reach out to.
“The baskets help kids have a nice Easter. I want to bring joy to kids that are sick or less fortunate kids that don’t get baskets,” she said, of her efforts.
Currently, Andrulis is working with about 80 volunteers but says more are always welcome.
She is also seeking donations to complete baskets for infants and older children. Items needed include diapers and onesies for infants and ear buds, card games and gift cards for older kids. Her volunteer efforts are not a registered 501c3 charity.
“I love doing this,” Andrulis said. “The fact is some of these kids won’t have an Easter. Their parents aren’t thinking about that. They are at the hospital with their kids. I just want these kids to have a nice Easter.”
Those interested in helping with the project can contact Andrulis at skandrulis@yahoo.com.
All donations need to be received by March 22.
“The baskets help kids have a nice Easter. I want to bring joy to kids that are sick or less fortunate kids that don’t get baskets.”
— Stacy Andrulis