The "Gift Bag Kid" Gives Fun and Compassion to Kids Diagnosed with COVID-19

"I love doing this," said Elliot as they put the finishing touches on their project.

Earlier that evening he had learned that a good friend of his had tested positive for COVID-19. Like many children, COVID affected the six-year-old's day to day life. However, since his brother is immunocompromised, at the start of the pandemic the family had quickly transitioned to homeschooling and connecting only virtually with family and friends, a lifestyle they are still maintaining while waiting for clearance for his brother. Nevertheless, this friend's illness made the disease feel real in a new way.

"We need to make her a gift bag!" Elliot declared. His mom, Megan, loved the idea, but she pointed out that it was nine o'clock at night. But Elliot insisted: they could use things they had on hand. By 10:30, Elliot, with his brother, sister, and mom, had assembled a nice little care package of toys they could spare and supplies from their art closet.

"I want to do a ton of these," said Elliot. Megan said they could talk about it after a good night's sleep. It was early the next morning when Elliot arrived in her room.

"I think I want to be known as the Gift Bag Kid."

And so their family's gift bag project began. Elliot established the parameters: each bag should contain enough activities to fill an afternoon, even if stuck in bed. With some variation, every bag includes a copy of Elliot's favorite book, a stuffed animal, a notepad, a shaped crayon, an activity pad, a mini kaleidoscope, a toy, some art supplies and a sheet of stickers. Each bag also includes a jar of beads and trinkets—a scavenger hunt game called an "I Spy" jar—that Elliot makes himself.  

In January, Elliot and his dad dropped off 40 bags to their pediatrician's Oneonta office. Dr. William Fredette and his staff give the bags to children Elliot's age who are sent home to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

"I love it," says Megan. "As parents we definitely try to foster creativity and create opportunities to help others into our kids' everyday life. Elliot's passion for this project is heartwarming."

Elliot would like the project to continue, even beyond COVID, with bags for Bassett Medical Center and Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse. To that end, Elliot and his siblings have started selling his homemade "I Spy" jars on their Etsy store to raise money.

"We can make a few bags a month on our own," says Megan, "but if we could get a local business, or others, to sponsor or donate items, we could do more. We want to help Elliot follow his idea as far as we can."

To learn more about the Gift Bag Kid and his project, you can reach his family by emailing thegiftbagkid@gmail.com.