Despite losing their daughter one year ago, Jamie and Sean Talken have found a way to spread joy to other hospitalized children.
Their daughter, Hope, died prematurely Sept. 9, 2016, and the couple wanted to do something in her honor.
Last week, the Talkens started a "Hugs for Hope" collection drive - hosting seven different sites around Jefferson City - with intent to provide the gift of comfort to children at Capital Region Medical Center. Through Sept. 15, the couple is collecting items children can hug and enjoy, such as new stuffed animals or children's activity books, coloring books and crayons.
"It all started when the chaplain at CRMC introduced us to Wings of Hope and we overheard a discussion about how kids have nothing to comfort them when they're admitted," Jamie said.
Wings of Hope is a support group through CRMC for families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death.
"Many of the nurses wind up purchasing things out of pocket, because the hospital doesn't have anything on hand. We thought it would be a great way to honor our daughter," she said.
Six days into the drive, Talken said locations are already having to clear out their bins filled with fun stuff for the children.
Donations can be dropped off at seven locations:
- B's Kustom Kreations, 123 W. Dunklin St., 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Hancock Mortgage, 1739 Elm St., Suite 102, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Laubert's Auto Sales, 501 Missouri Blvd., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Scheppers International Truck Center, 1722 Southridge Drive, 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday
- Second Chance Cottage, 822 Jefferson St.
- Jefferson State Office Building cafeteria, 205 Jefferson St.
- Fantastic Sam's, 2219 Missouri Blvd., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday.
Monetary donations are also accepted online via gofundme.com/hugs-for-hope.
For more information, visit the Talkens' "Random Acts of Hope" Facebook page.