AUGUSTA, Ga () – A local organization is giving back to the Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

Zayden Wright was a former patient at the Children’s Hospital of Georgia but sadly passed away in 2018.

Now his parents want to continue his legacy by giving toys to patients.

“They did so much and so many people did kind acts for my son. When my son passed away, I wanted to be a parent to give back and do the same thing that people did for me,” said Zackary Wright, Zayden’s father and CEO of the Zayday Foundation.

The foundation does these toy drives every year around Christmas time but due to the renovations on the hospital the last couple of months, they are doing Christmas in July.

Wright says the inspiration to start a toy donation came straight from Zayden.

“He had a giving spirit. He had gotten to the point where he would go through his toy box, he would love to give away his old toys because he knew he was going to get new toys. Then by him being in the hospital and people gave him toys, it was just the perfect way for me to give back,” Wright said.

Wright says he is thankful to the people donating their time to the foundation and everyone who gave toys.

“I hope the impact gives some kid hope. A lot of the toys were heartfelt for me because I picked out some things that reminded me of my son, books of inspiration of hope. Toys that would inspire them to try, we have building toys, we have electronics,” said Wright.

I spoke with a member of the Wellstar team who says this was her first year participating in the toy drive.

She says all of the patients are going to be very excited about their new toys.

“We give toys to kids before they have surgery, after some really scary procedures or when they’re admitted here for a long time and they need something to do. That’s what we do, we aim to make the hospital just a little bit more fun and just be there for these families while they are going through some of the toughest times,” said Addie Winkelman, Child Life Specialist at Wellstar Children’s Hospital of Georgia.

If you wish to donate or learn more about the Zayday Foundation you can find the link here.