HOPE – A boy in Hope, whose birthday and Christmas wish a year ago was to see his presents donated to sick children, kept the spirit alive this year despite a more limited time frame for accumulation of toys.

“This year was sort of a late notice because we always ask Dylan at the beginning of December what he wants for Christmas,” Dylan’s father, David Grant, said.

Dylan, who turns 13 on Thursday, Dec. 21, wanted to repeat the response from the toy drive last year which generated so many toys from classmates and the community that his school, Hope Elementary, donated the use of a bus to transport him and his gifts to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland.

“I chose Barbara Bush Children's Hospital because they do important work,” Dylan said, in an email. “Mom and I have been in a few hospitals before and I like them [the Barbara Bush unit] the best.”

Dylan especially wanted those young patients who were in the hospital through Christmas to have a little fun.

In this, the second year, the school district, along with Vic and Shanie Pease, of Union True Value Hardware, rallied to keep the drive in play.

True Value Hardware spread the word, and became a drop-off spot for the gifts, which came with more guidelines this year.

“He wanted some gifts that would be useful,” Grant said. “Dylan wanted to think of things to do if you are by yourself, like coloring books, puzzles. Things that you could do that could involve people or didn’t involve people.

“I thought that was very thoughtful of him.”

The school district, again, donated the school bus.

Also among the toys this time were several knitted hats made by his 9-year-old brother, Carter, and their mother, Moriah, and donated to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“I had the idea when my brother was in the hospital. I know that his head was really tiny, so I decided to make lots of hats,” Carter said. “I know I’ve lost a lot of hats.”

For their caring and sharing, Dylan and his brother Carter received certificates of recognition from staff of the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital as they dropped off the toys Wednesday, Dec. 20.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Grant. “Just the reactions on people’s faces. I think Dylan shows us that that’s what it’s all about. Giving.”

“It’s just nice to be able to give,” Grant said.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com