March 29, 2024

Newton teacher turns 60th birthday into toy drive for children’s hospital

When Doug Smith heard one of his students wanted to do something special to help children at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Newton sixth-grade teacher quickly volunteered to help.

Smith is the homeroom teacher of Kaden Kelso, who is collecting stuffed animals to be delivered to children receiving treatments in Iowa City. Kelso knows all too well what it is like to be sick. He recently battled mucoepidermoid carcinoma cancer and had surgery to remove part of his lung. Now, feeling better and back to school, Kelso wanted to pay forward the kindness he received and support his friends and fellow patients at the children’s hospital with an act of kindness.

“When Kaden’s mom Mindi told me Kaden wanted to use the money he had saved from allowance to buy stuffed animals for kids at the hospital, I knew I needed to do something,” Smith said. “He wants to give back. It is phenomenal for this young man to go through what he went through, and he decides he wants to help the kids who haven’t been able to go home yet. He just wants to cheer them up for one day, and I want to help him do it.”

After getting the green light from Kelso and his family, Smith decided to turn his 60th birthday party into a toy drive, hoping to collect 60 teddy bears to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House and Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

“At 60, I don’t need anything. A card is what, $5? And people will buy silly gag gifts, but instead I want them to put those resources to good use and bring a stuffed animal to be shared with children who could really use something to celebrate,” Smith said.

A number of stuffed animals have already been delivered to Smith’s classroom by students and colleagues. He also said many have been delivered to his home where his wife Cindy organizes, sorts and counts them.

“When you think of how powerful a simple gesture can be, it is amazing,” Smith said. “I’ve received a stuffed animal from someone in Minnesota that we have no idea who they are. They must have seen it on social media. No one knows them, but somehow they heard what Kaden was trying to do, and they sent one. Now that is pretty cool.”

Teddy bears, bunnies, puppies and other stuffed animals have arrived from as far away as Texas and Florida. Smith told his student he “better bring a truck” to get all the donations.

“It is pretty easy for anyone to say ‘I’ll buy a teddy bear for a sick kid,’ and donate it. It is that easy,” Smith said.

Kelso’s mom Mindi Noel said Smith’s support of her son’s desire to pay it forward comes as no surprise.

“Doug has gone above and beyond for Kaden and our family since this journey began,” Noel said. “He made several trips to see Kaden in Iowa City. He checked in often and kept the kids and staff updated at BMS. He tutored Kaden in our home while he was recovering and has been pivotal with Kaden’s transition back to school to name just a few things. When he told me about his stuffed animal idea, I was speechless. Everything he has done for our family is so appreciated and I just can’t thank him enough.”

Smith, who turns 60 on Friday, hopes to hit his goal of 60 stuffed animals by Saturday. He said everyone is welcome to celebrate with him from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the American Legion where they will be accepting more donations for Kelso to deliver. Kelso’s first stop will be his old floor at the hospital where most of the patients are children being treated for cancer. He plans to visit with some of the residents and offer them first dibs on the stuffed animals.

“On Mr. Smith’s 60th birthday me and my mom are going to swing by and take all of the stuffed animals (to deliver),” Kelso said. “Just making a kid happy, I know they’re going through some tough times, maybe this will be something to smile (about), something to make them happy.”