Menifee non-profit seeks donations for pediatric patients

Some of the pet food items donated in the April program conducted by the Stacia's Little Brite Something Foundation.

The Menifee-based Stacia’s Brite Little Something non-profit foundation is collecting donated items for patients in the Pediatric Wing of City of Hope.

The foundation was formed earlier this year in honor of longtime Menifee resident Stacia Danford, who died Feb. 15 after an eight-year battle with breast cancer. In the foundation’s first donation campaign in April, which honored Stacia’s love for animals, residents donated over 2,100 pounds of animal food (dogs, cats, goats, etc.) and over 1,000 pounds of cat litter, along with money to send beds, toys, and other necessary items to local animal shelters.

Next, the foundation is seeking donations in May and June for what it is calling “Christmas in July” for pediatric patients ages 2-17. City of Hope staff has request donations of the following items to help children pass the time as they endure treatment sessions:

Colored pencils
Colored pens
Adult coloring books
Crossword Puzzles
Word Search Puzzles/Games

Any type of entertainment that can be used for children and teenage patients would be beneficial.

According to the City of Hope, many patients come from home to the campus for half-day or full-day infusions and it is difficult to not feel anxiety, stress, and fear during that time.

“We hope that by collecting certain items and donating them, this can help alleviate some of the understandable burden that these children go through,” said James Danford husband of Stacia (left).

The foundation website includes more information and a list of other items for donation. Donations of these items can be dropped off or mailed to the following addresses (either in-person or shipped through online retailers):

-- Steve and Stephanie Vaughn, 30432 Canyon Point Circle, Menifee, CA 92584
-- James Danford, 29735 Brookfield Drive, Menifee, CA 92584
-- Starla Smith, 335 1/2 Park Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90814

If you have any questions, contact staciasbls@gmail.com.