Madison's Toy Chest will bring joy to children at SMH

Madison’s Toy Chests will bring joy to children at SMH

Two new chests filled with toys and stuffed animals will brighten the day for children spending time at Scotland Memorial Hospital. 

Madison’s Toy Chests were delivered Tuesday, August 10 by Live Like Madison, the organization that honors the life and legacy of 7-year-old Madison Fedak, who passed away in December 2019 after her courageous battle against childhood cancer. The toy chests, which display a drawing of Madison holding a toy unicorn, were made possible through a grant to Live Like Madison by the Morgan Foundation. The toys were gathered during a recent month-long community drive spearheaded by the Laurinburg Exchange.

Jim Morgan of the Morgan Foundation said it was an easy decision to support this effort. “It is such a pleasure to support Madison Fedak’s legacy of bringing tangible joy to children,” said Morgan. “I can’t think of a better gift than helping fund the ‘Live Like Madison’ toy chests! Wow! We get a lot of grant requests, but few are as compelling and obvious as this one. Little kids in the hospital and we can help make them smile? Yes, please! Count us in!”

One chest will be placed in the hospital’s Emergency Department and the other will be located on the Surgical Unit. Both have wheels to make it easy for caregivers to get toys to a child’s bedside. Sonja Frye, director of patient experience, expressed sincere gratitude to all who made this possible. ““Our Scotland Team is so excited,” said Frye. “The toys will offer comfort and reassurance during a time of uncertainty for our littlest patients.  For this, we are forever grateful for this generous and heart-touching donation.”  

Madison’s parents, Laura and Mickey Fedak, her sister, Riley, and members of the Live Like Madison board were on hand as the toy chests were delivered. Laura said the idea for toy chests came from Madison’s visit to Scotland Memorial in 2018, when her illness was first discovered. 

“Being able to give back to the hospital and the community that was so supportive to us during Madison’s sickness, and even now, is an amazing feeling,” Laura said. “Madison wanted nothing more than to make people smile, and there are no words to describe how happy my mama heart is today because I am able to keep the promise I made to her. She was there with us as we presented her toy chests and she saw all the smiles from the nurses, administration, and even her sister. I know that Madison is proud of all of us and what we are doing.”