Most of our friends and family already know this story- but we are finally ready to share it with everyone now that we have *most* of the logistics in place. So, if you’re willing to take a moment, we’d love to finally share the story behind Lyndee's Costume Closet and let you know how you can donate, if you feel compelled to contribute.

While I was still working at Akron Children's Hospital, I had a really special opportunity to drop what I was doing and hunt down a superhero to come make a visit to the hospital. You might be surprised, but adult costumes are harder to find in the middle of the winter. Luckily, I was able to find one and get it to the hospital for a sweet little kiddo that needed to see his hero, experience a little magic, and give his family a little hope through a very difficult time.

That experience showed me that there was a need (big or small) for there to be some costumes that are always available in the hospital that would allow some of these iconic characters to appear for kids when they need them- birthdays, treatment days, milestone celebrations, or just a pick-me-up moment for a whole hospital floor— patients and staff alike. These kids deserve a little imagination and magic for a brief distraction from what they’re going through, or maybe to give them a little courage to get through a tough time. It seemed like an idea so obvious that it would already exist- but it doesn’t just yet…

The more Nathan Adey and I talked about it, the more we wanted to be involved and donate ourselves for costumes to be available in the hospital. For years, we have wanted to give back in a way that felt meaningful and personal to Lyndee and our family’s experience at Akron Children’s Hospital. For our theater loving, costume wearing, outgoing and caring girl- this truly was that perfect way we could give back and show our appreciation to possibly make a small difference for others. We told her all about it and she was thrilled. Lyndee could not wait to get started and make our first donation of costumes.

After that, we started telling friends and family and so many people expressed interest in donating- even having their company potentially match or contribute towards those donations. Being surrounded and supported by so many incredible and generous people, we realized we could make this even more impactful than we’d originally intended. So, we went for it and started a non-profit for Lyndee’s Costume Closet.

As we get started, funds raised through Lyndee’s Costume Closet will go towards purchasing adult costumes for volunteers and staff to wear for special occasions. We recently made our first official donation and Lyndee delivered Anna and Elsa costumes to help a little girl celebrate with a Frozen themed birthday during her hospital stay. After some initial fundraising, we were also able to to purchase superhero costumes and donate them to Akron Children’s for Childhood Cancer Week. As an honorary board member, Lyndee said, “I’m excited that these costumes could make other kids and families happy when they are in the hospital. I am thankful for anyone who is helping me raise money to build Lyndee’s Costume Closet. I can’t wait to grow up and volunteer so I can wear the costumes, too.”

I know so many of our friends have kids who have had to be in the hospital for one reason or another, and we would love for their ideas on which costumes should be at the hospital. So, please be sure to share their ideas with us!