DENVER -- A Colorado couple is on a mission to spread cheer to children spending the holiday season in the hospital.
Heather and Tyson Heineke know what it's like to celebrate Christmas in a hospital room. Their son Greyson spent 80 days in the hospital and they slept in the room with him on a pull out couch.
During that time, a family member sent a care package with a small tree and other decorations. The Heineke family noticed how the simple decorations brightened the mood in the room.
"We were in the room with Greyson that entire time and so it was nice just to have something that was kind of homey," said Heather Heineke.
They celebrated the holidays in the hospital not knowing that it would be Greyson's last Christmas. He passed away in February, just after his first birthday. His parents wanted to find a way to honor him but didn't know what to do.
"So that kind of triggered the idea a few years later to lets try to spread that joy to other families that are in the hospital," said Tyson Heineke.
Last year, the Greyson project distributed 429 gift bags to 25 hospitals in 14 states. This year they hope to hand out close to 1,000 bags. The holiday decoration bags can be dropped off at collection sites throughout Colorado. The bags are due by December 21.
More information about the Greyson Project is available online. The website includes a list of suggested items to include in the gift bags.
There are several drop off locations across Colorado. Here's a list of locations where you can drop off pre-assembled gift bags:
- Studio Be Salon (Fort Collins North - Old Town)
- Studio Be Salon (Fort Collins South)
- Studio Be Salon (Boulder)
- Concepts In Hair (Loveland)
- RE/MAX Town & Country (Berthoud)
- Ella Bliss Beauty Bar (Denver)
- Ella Bliss Beauty Bar (Greenwood Village)
- Wild West Motorsports (Greeley)
- Your Place Coffee (Greeley)
- 5920 Barbershop (Greeley)
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