Plymouth Family Honors Late Toddler's Legacy With 'Jonny Bags'

PLYMOUTH, MA — After unexpectedly losing their 3-year-old son last summer, a Plymouth couple is honoring his legacy by helping other families in need during hospital stays.

In memory of their late son, Robert and Tanya Hackett are creating care packages called "Jonny Bags." These emergency kits are filled with supplies designed to provide comfort for families while they wait in the ICU.

"After our short stay in the ICU we realized other parents may not have family or friends close enough to bring everyday items," Tanya Hackett says on the memorial page. "We have decided to start a foundation in our son's name that will provide comfort to families who are in the ICU."

Some of the items in the "Jonny Bags" include a blanket, hygiene supplies, chapstick, slippers, clean pajamas, a phone charger, and a Mickey Mouse because he was Jonny's favorite.

Last July, when Jonny was just three-years-old, he suffered a brain aneurysm while swimming in Plymouth.

The Hacketts say they went into the ICU with nothing in hand as they waited days to hear about Jonny's condition. Sadly, Jonny passed away on July 24, 2021.

While they waited in the ICU, the Hacketts say they had friends bring them belongings, but realized that many people do not have that advantage, so "Jonny Bags" were born to help the three-year-old's legacy live on.

Friends and family gathered in Halifax to assemble the "Jonny Bags," with plans to give them to Boston Children's Hospital on Thursday.

So far, the group has raised more than $50,000 and plans to donate 15-30 bags per month.

For more information about the Jonny Hackett Memorial Fund or to make a donation, click here.