Jared Box Donation from Glen Falls Baptist Church is Helping to Bring Smiles to Pediatric Patients at UHC
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on May 28, 2024
Glen Falls Baptist Church in Clarksburg continues a tradition of giving back to the community by participating in The Jared Box Project with a 
donation to United Hospital Center (UHC). The mission of the Jared Box Project is to entertain and put a smile on children’s faces.
donation to United Hospital Center (UHC). The mission of the Jared Box Project is to entertain and put a smile on children’s faces.
Each box contains small gifts, toys, games, crayons, coloring books, and fun activities selected for a specific age and gender assembled by individuals or groups. Glen Falls Baptist Church delivered more than 30 of these plastic, shoe-sized storage boxes to UHC.
“We are honored that Glen Falls Baptist Church has selected UHC for the Jared Box donation,” said Kaitlyn Layman, LPN. “A stay in the hospital can be a traumatic experience for young children and these boxes will provide countless hours of fun, as it is a great diversion from their illness.”
The Jared Box Project, a nonprofit organization, started in 2001 to honor its namesake, Jared McMullen. This brave 5-year-old boy fought brain cancer and carried a backpack filled with toys to all his appointments. He gladly shared his toys with other children.
“This donation is just extraordinary,” said Lauren Whitehair, LPN. “We certainly appreciate the church group’s willingness to help bring a smile to a child during their hospital stay.”
Although Jared’s battle ended in 2000, his inspiration lives on through the kindness and generosity of others as they make Jared Boxes in his honor. What was intended as a one-time project has grown into a nonprofit that reaches into the hearts of children with a plastic shoe box filled with well wishes, hope, and love.
“This donation is just extraordinary,” said Lauren Whitehair, LPN. “We certainly appreciate the church group’s willingness to help bring a smile to a child during their hospital stay.”
Although Jared’s battle ended in 2000, his inspiration lives on through the kindness and generosity of others as they make Jared Boxes in his honor. What was intended as a one-time project has grown into a nonprofit that reaches into the hearts of children with a plastic shoe box filled with well wishes, hope, and love.
Editor's Note: Photo shows, from left, Lauren Whitehair, LPN; Kaitlyn Layman, LPN; Randi Bowen, Glen Falls Baptist Church member; and Jennifer Douglas, Glen Falls Baptist Church member.
