Bluffton family preps for annual toy drive

BLUFFTON — The Simon Family is gearing up for its fourth annual toy drive to benefit children with cancer who are patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. Over the past three years, the family has delivered 1,884 toys, five Xbox game consoles, $600 in gift cards and $100 to the Ronald McDonald House — donations from people who live in northwest Ohio and across the country. Mom Kayla Simon said it turned out to be a lot more toys than she expected after counting up the totals. "I don't think being in a bigger city I would get the same response," said Simon. "I love our small community." The Bluffton family has a special fondness for the hospital. Son Braylon was diagnosed with a rare type of Hodgkin lymphoma when he was 7 years old. He went through four rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, and he rang the bell signaling the end of his treatment in August 2018. "It doesn't seem like it's been four years already. He's doing incredible," Simon said. "He's very healthy. He's growing great. He is very active. He bowls, he plays baseball and football, plays all his video games. He's a completely normal 11-year-old boy now." To celebrate and give back, the family — which also includes Simon's husband Jon and three daughters, Riley, Peyton and Jordyn — began holding toy drives for the children who are patients on the hematology/oncology floor at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The toys will be taken along when Braylon and his family go for his next six-month appointment in August. The first toy drive, held in 2019, brought in around 300 toys. The goal this year, Simon said, is 800 toys. "We just missed our goal last year, and we're running a little behind this year," she said. "I've been really busy at work and wasn't quite sure we were going to do it. But it's like, 'No, we have to do it.'" New and unwrapped toys for all ages, from babies to teenagers, are being accepted through Aug. 19. No toy guns, violent video games or movies are allowed, per the hospital's policy, she said. A list of suggested items for Braylon's toy drive is available on Amazon. "The Amazon list seems to go over really well. It's easy," she said. "We don't have to worry about doing pickup, which I'm completely open to doing. If anyone wants to meet up, they can get a hold of me, they can give me a call and I'll be more than happy to meet up with them." Simon said she sees the drive continuing. She also has other goals for the program known as Braylon Strong. "I would love to make it a nonprofit and doing more than just toys," she said. "I would love to be able to help out with bills, gas cards, make it something a lot bigger than just donating toys, but the toys are great, too." She said her family benefited from the help of nonprofits when Braylon was ill. "We had some bills paid when we weren't able to work all that much when he was sick. It's a tremendous need and it's a great help," Simon said. "We love what we're doing and we're making a difference." For more information or to arrange to drop off a donation, text or call Simon at 419-890-7851, or visit the Braylonstrong page on Facebook. Monetary donations may also be sent to her by Venmo, @kayla-simon; or PayPal, kaylasimon89@yahoo.com