Over the past few weeks, I have had the incredible opportunity to lead and participate in an event that holds deep meaning for my school’s Key Club: Wyatt’s Wagon. As club president, I’ve come to appreciate how one small idea, led with compassion, can grow into something that brings joy and healing to so many individuals.
Wyatt’s Wagon began during the 2017-2018 school year in honor of a brave young boy named Wyatt West. While battling leukemia and undergoing treatment in the hospital, Wyatt experienced firsthand how difficult and isolating it can be to be a child in such a place. Once he recovered, his wish was simple but powerful: to give toys to children in hospitals, just like he had once been, to help ease their fear and loneliness. In response to his kindness, our Key Club started this service initiative and has continued it every year since, keeping Wyatt’s spirit of generosity alive.
This year, my club has worked hard to make Wyatt’s Wagon the best it’s ever been, as we try to do so every year. My fellow officers and I created promotional flyers and spread the word throughout our school community. The response was heartwarming, as students, teachers, and families came together, donating new toys to lift a child’s spirits. The impact of this collective effort reminded me of why service matters so much; it connects people and creates moments of joy in the lives of those who need it the most.
Yesterday, on April 30, 2025, we delivered the donated toys to the UK children’s hospital. Walking through those halls with our wagon full of gifts, I saw firsthand the hope we were bringing. It was a powerful reminder of the good that can come from even the smallest acts of kindness.
Key Club’s dedication to this project was recognized in 2018-2019 when we received the major emphasis award at DCON (district convention), and I’m proud to say that the same spirit continues to thrive today. Wyatt’s Wagon is more than a service project, it’s a legacy of empathy, resilience, and love. As long as children face difficult days in the hospital, we will keep rolling forward, one toy at a time.
