Five wagons filled with toys are now in the Children’s Hospital of Georgia this week, thanks to the work of ‘Something for Alex’. The nonprofit is spreading kindness across Augusta in honor of Alex Newton, who was killed in a home invasion in Atlanta in 2016.
The more than $500 worth of toys were all apart of Alex’s Birthday Project 2022. The Newtons said the nonprofit picks an organization every year around Alex’s birthday and do something in his honor. Children’s Hospital has always been special to them, and they want these gifts to help some of the young patients find a little light in their day.
“Alex always had a kind heart,” said Beth Newton, Alex’s mother. “He always thought of others and that’s the mission of Something for Alex. Changing the world, a random action at a time.”
The Newtons are continuing Alex’s legacy by raising thousands of dollars for organizations around the CSRA. They posted on social media promoting the toy drives and donations towards the hospital, and Beth said the community flooded their homes and cars with support.
“Alex always loved seeing other people smile. I can think of him giving these gifts to someone,” said Beth.
The gifts include dolls, trucks, cars, puzzles and everything in between. Stephanie Grayson, a Child Life specialist with Children’s Hospital, knows how much their kids love to play, which includes patients in the ER, clinics, inpatients, surgeries and birthdays and big days.
“Having community members come in and bring stuff to us helps the kids just be kids and have fun, without thinking of anything else,” said Grayson. “We just want to say thank you to the family and everything the community does to support us.”
