Makenna Fraaza's mother, Tammi Fraaza, 23, delivers more than 1,000 toys to Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in honor of her little girl. "It has been very difficult trying to adjust to a new life without MaKenna," Tammi said. "But it is comforting to know that she has touched so many lives and will continue to do so." (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
MaKenna was struck by a vehicle in Zeeland Township over the July Fourth weekend. She died from her injuries. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
The delivery was also by Amy Fox, left, a paralegal who helped organize the donation drive, Helen Boeve, Helen's daughter, Kelli Nash, MaKenna's mother, Tammi Fraaza, and McKenna's grandmother Jan Fraaza. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"I want to thank those who donated items in her name," Tammi said. "It would make Makenna very happy to know she is helping to make some other child's day a little brighter." (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Hundreds of new packs of crayons fill a crate. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Tammi unpacks donated toys in her daughter's honor. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
A church in Muskegon will take on the fundraiser as their charity and will continue to donate in MaKenna's name throughout the next year. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Among the items donated are interactive toys, coloring books, crayons, Play-Doh, animal figures and books. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
"We thought a fundraiser focusing on collecting toys for the kids who have to spend time in the hospital was the best way we could honor MaKenna's spirit and zest for life," Amy Fox said. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
MaKenna's mother, Tammi, and her grandmother, Jan, pose for a photo by the donated toys. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
Pictured above is a car sticker in honor of MaKenna. (Taylor Ballek | Spectrum Health Beat)
MaKenna Fraaza, 3, blows bubbles. MaKenna was born Dec. 17, 2012, and passed away July 3, 2016. (Courtesy of Tammi Fraaza)
Spectrum Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital received more than 1,000 toys and cash donations on Sept. 16 in honor of a special little girl who tragically lost her life earlier this summer.
Each toy has a sticker that displays a picture of 3-year-old MaKenna Fraaza blowing bubbles along with the words “Donated in memory of Makenna Rae Fraaza 12.17.12 – 7.13.16 Isaiah 41:10”.
MaKenna’s mother, Tammi Fraaza, and her grandmother, Jan Fraaza, and other close friends made the delivery.
“It has been very difficult trying to adjust to a new life without MaKenna,” Tammi Fraaza explained. “But it is comforting to know that she has touched so many lives and will continue to do so.”
MaKenna was struck by a vehicle in Zeeland Township over the July Fourth weekend. She died from her injuries.
A church in Muskegon will be taking on the fundraiser as their charity and will continue to donate in MaKenna’s name throughout the next year. Among the items donated are interactive toys, coloring books, crayons, Play-Doh, animal figures, books and superhero figures.
“We thought a fundraiser focusing on collecting toys for the kids who have to spend time in the hospital was the best way we could honor MaKenna’s spirit and zest for life,” said Amy Fox, a paralegal who helped organize the donation drive.
Despite heavy feelings of grief and mourning the loss of MaKenna, Tammi Fraaza found reasons to smile today as she delivered toys to the hospital.
“I want to thank those who donated items in her name,” she said. “It would make MaKenna very happy to know she is helping to make some other child’s day a little brighter.”
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