Eli Garrett lost his battle with Non-Hodgkin’s T-Cell Lymphoma. on May 7th, 2009, just 10 days before his fourth birthday. This year marks the ninth straight year Eli’s father, Martin, has delivered Easter baskets to children hospitalized for the holiday.
Founder of “Easter for Eli” Martin Garrett said, “We’re looking for completed Easter baskets. No food, no candy.”
Items that can be donated include card games, board games, and stuffed animals, Garrett asks that baskets are covered by a clear basket wrap.
The goal for this year’s “Easter for Eli” is to deliver 10,000 baskets to 54 children’s hospitals and 14 Ronald McDonald houses across 21 states. The deadline for basket donations is March 15 at one of the drop-off locations that can be found on the Easter for Eli Facebook or Instagram.
“We’re looking for gift cards as well, Anything that the families can use for transportation, groceries, gas, and a child might be able to use while he’s in the hospital to brighten his day.”
He is quick to reflect credit away from himself.
“Those thank-yous don’t go to me. Those thank-yous 100 percent go to the community, We need everybody’s help to do this.”
And this is his way of honoring his son.
“For me to work on the grief process of losing my son, It’s just a small gesture that we might take for granted here at home, but when you’re in the hospital with your child and you’re struggling there, we can take five minutes and give them a little bit of happiness, and share Eli’s joy.”
