TEEN DELIVERS TOY TRAINS TO HOSPITAL

Unlike most teen-agers who are worried about shopping for bargains at the mall, Traci Taylor, 15, finds her bargains at the toy store.

Taylor, daughter of Pat and Donna Taylor of Cape Girardeau, collects toys and games for a children's Toy Train at Southeast Missouri Hospital. The toys help fight boredom while the children are staying at the hospital.

"We get things for them to do so that they don't get bored," she said, adding that her mother often shops with her.

The Toy Train is based on a craft cart that Taylor remembered from her days as a cancer patient in a Texas hospital. As a child, she was diagnosed with leukemia and spent many days in a hospital. An auxiliary group at the Texas hospital gave each child a craft project to complete during his or her stay, she said.

"I looked forward to the craft cart every day, and when I moved here they didn't really have anything for the older kids," Taylor said, adding that younger children enjoy the playroom on the floor. "I just told my parents that I wanted to do something."

Once a week, Taylor rolls the brightly colored wooden cart filled with books, puzzles, games, cards, baby rattles and balloons down the hallway on the pediatrics floor.

Taylor tries to fill the train with something for every age group, so that everyone can have a free toy. "I look for things kids like and that will keep them busy, not just something they can look at."

Since the Toy Train began, Taylor has won several volunteer awards for her work. She was recently named as a state winner in the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She earned a trip to Washington, D.C., and a $2,500 Inspiration Award and trophy.

But all the honors aren't the reason Traci spends time with sick children. She just wants to return a favor.

"It's a way to give back because they helped me through a difficult time," Taylor said of her volunteer work. "It kept my mind off things, and it's neat to let other kids have that chance. They know I'll always be here."

To keep all the toys, games and puzzles organized, Traci's father and brother constructed the mobile train. It was partially funded by the North Cape Church of Christ. Since then, donations have come in from 4-H clubs, Brownie and Girl Scout troops and other clubs in the area.

Throughout Random Acts of Kindness Week, hospital employees, staff and volunteers will add new toys to the train to keep it well stocked. One Jackson Brownie troop also helped deliver toys Tuesday evening.

Taylor is a ninth grade student at Central Junior High School.