LEGOs, “Star Wars” toys and baseball-related items are among Ryan Hubler’s favorite things, but they weren’t on his wish list for his 9th birthday recently.
Instead, the St. Mary’s third-grader contacted Thompson Health to obtain a “wish list” and then asked the nearly two dozen children attending his “Fall Olympics”-themed birthday party to bring items that children at the hospital could enjoy. The result: more than 50 coloring/activity books, 50 sets of crayons, 16 movies on DVD and more than 1,200 stickers, along with pencils, books, colored paper and notepads.
“This generous and thoughtful gift from Ryan will be put to good use by the children who come here for our care,” said Anita Pietropaolo, Associate Director of the F.F. Thompson Foundation. Pietropaolo, who referred to Ryan as a “marvelous and creative spirit,” thanked the family for first contacting the health system for the “wish list,” thus ensuring that all of the donated items were needed and within infection control regulations.
Ryan is the son of Chris and Lisa Hubler of Canandaigua. His mother told Thompson officials that a health scare involving a young relative was the reason he decided to forgo birthday presents and benefit children being treated at the hospital. And it looks like youngest members of the Hubler family are only just beginning their involvement in philanthropy: Ryan’s 6-year-old sister, Maren, has already informed her parents that she would like to donate all her presents this year, too!