Spreading holiday cheer, the Ellie Koerner Leukemia Foundation was able to give back 10,000 dollars’ worth of toys and donations this Christmas.

The Ellie Koerner Leukemia Foundation was founded in 2008, just as Ellie started her battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Her family wished to help those in need, and during Ellie’s first two months of treatment they created EKLF.

Over the years Koerner would go visit the kids at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. On these visits she would read books to the kids and play with them. She would also put together gift baskets for all the parents on the oncology floor.

Koerner states, “Personally knowing what it is like staying at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia over the holiday season, especially Christmas, is what drives us to give back to those currently in the same situation as I was.”

Due to Covid-19 Koerner was not able to participate in the tradition this year, but she still wanted to do something for the kids. After brainstorming, she decided to host a toy drive. The Koerner family had a drop off at their home, a box inside of Hollydell Ice Arena, and a box at Beacon Academy all located in the area. All the donations such as toys, monetary donations, and gift cards went to the Ronald McDonald house in Philadelphia.

“We are hoping to continue this holiday toy drive in years to come” Koerner said.