The toy drive that collected 16 large boxes of toys for Primary Children’s Hospital was spearheaded by 12-year-old Jaxson Allen. His 9-year-old brother Evan, who has cystic fibrosis, a terminal chronic lung disease, has spent a lot of time at the hospital.

“Toys for Primary Children’s kids make a difference,” Jaxson said. “They make kids happier and more entertained when they're there. Evan played with toys when he was there, and it really helped him through it.” 

When Evan has extended stays at the hospital, he must remain in isolation. Unable to participate in group activities or interact with other patients, he appreciates the toys and games the hospital provides to keep him entertained. A fan of classic board games, Evan thought his brother’s toy drive was a great idea.

“I feel like those kids deserve toys because they've been through a lot,” Evan said.

Evan has daily lung treatments, takes 20+ pills a day, has frequent medical appointments and occasional hospital stays to deal with his disease. The whole Allen family gets involved in his care.

“Jaxson has really embraced that big brother role really well,” Stacy Allen, the boys’ mother, said. “I'm just really proud of Jaxson. It's not always easy to play that role but he plays it really well in our family. He has just this enormous heart that matches this enormous body and he just is always looking for ways to give back.”

The Allens traditionally hold a blanket drive each December to benefit Primary Children’s Hospital. This year, Jaxson had the idea to hold a toy drive, so his parents let him take the lead.

“We've been the recipients of the toys, the blankets, and of all the good that comes from the community, so we, as a family, try to give back where we can,” Stacy Allen said.

Collection boxes were placed at Butterfield Canyon Elementary, where Jaxson is a sixth-grader and Evan is a third-grader, at Oak Leaf Elementary and at some Supercuts locations. Donations were also collected through an Amazon wishlist.

The Allens were surprised by the amount of toys collected in just one month.

“It was well beyond what we ever dreamed we would get for this first year,” Stacy Allen said. 

She said the success may be due to the fact that it benefitted local families.

“I think everybody has had—either directly or indirectly—some experience with Primary’s that really pulls at the heartstrings,” she said. 

Jaxson personally delivered the toys to the hospital at the end of the drive. He expressed appreciation for everyone who donated this year, and said he plans to expand the toy drive to even more schools next year, when he’ll be attending Fort Herriman Middle School.

The boys’ father, McKay Allen, said Jaxson has good leadership and social skills and a desire to help others—especially Evan.  

“When his brother's been hospitalized, he's willingly missed things with friends or sports or his activities to just go be with his brother at Primary Children's,” he said.

Despite the challenges of living with cystic fibrosis, the Allens choose to stay positive and to be a support to others within the cystic fibrosis community.

“We all get dealt a certain hand, and sometimes life's not fair on both ends, whether you're the one living with the disease, or in the supportive role, or the supportive brother,” Stacy Allen said. “And so I think finding opportunities to make the best of it, where you are healthy and you're capable—we very much have tried to raise them to be aware and give back.”