Local Toy Drive Continues to Honor Memory of Baby Westyn

Westyn Genens’ life may have lasted just a few short months, but his legacy continues to spread Christmas cheer to kids facing the holidays in the hospital.
Now, a toy drive founded by the Joliet infant’s parents, Sarah and Jeff Genens, is spreading throughout the suburbs. Born with congenital heart defects, baby Westyn died in August 2007.

Each Christmas since then, the Genens — joined now by Westyn’s little sisters, Ivy and Paisley, have worked to keep his memory alive by spreading joy to hospitalized kids.

Toys collected for Westyn’s Wish are distributed to children spending the holidays at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn each December.

This year, the Genens hope to surpass last year’s efforts, which brought in 2,400 New Toys and $1,000 in gift cards to Advocate Children's in Oak Lawn.

Want to help? Drop off new, unwrapped toys for all ages — from infants through age 18 — at any of the following locations between now and Dec. 18.

Channahon
• Supersauce Tattoo 24503 W Eames St

Chicago
• Vertiport 1339 S Wood St

Countryside
•Lively Arts Dance & Fine Arts 919 W 55th St, Ste A

Crest Hill
•Reza's Auto Repair 2386 Jorie Court

Frankfort
•The Grachan Agency 20855 South La Grange Road # 200
•All Aboard! Family Dining and Amusement 20831 South La Grange Road
•Primary Eyecare Professionals 10379 W Lincoln Hwy

Joliet
•Donut Den 3043 Theodore St.
•Heartland Blood Center 121 Springfield Ave # 6
•Karges Realty, 208 N. Larkin Ave.
•Moonstep Productions, 1523 Plainfield Rd., Suite 5
•Rick's RV Center 4360 W Jefferson St
•Salon David Anthony 2621 W. Jefferson St
•Symphony of Joliet 306 North Larkin Avenue

Mokena
• A Suite Salon Room 101 19255 Everett Lane

New Lenox
•Lancaster Eye Care 402 E. Lincoln Highway (Rte. 30)
• VIP Automotive 12535 Old Plank Trail

Oak Forest
• Rockin Horse Saloon 5200 W. 159th Street

Orland Park
• The Cheesecake Factory 304 Orland Square Dr

Shorewood
• Fantastic Sam's 857 Center Ct Unit B
• Shorewood - Troy Library 650 Deerwood Drive

Plainfield
• Boozle B's Boutique 11830 S Rte 59
• Chicago Brew Werks 14903 S Center St #107
• Chikara Martial Arts Academy 24316 W 143rd St
• Interstate All Battery, 11912 S. Spaulding School Dr

Rockdale
•Marino Truck and Equipment Repair 604 Elm Court

Romeoville
• Planet Chiropractic 432 N Weber Rd

Wilmington
• D & A Trucking
• D' Orazio Ford 1135 S Water St

Left: Westyn Genens; Right: Parents Jeff and Sarah Genens and daughter Ivy drop off toys at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn in December 2013. Credit: Submitted photos.