Celebrate the season while helping the Marco Shemwell Foundation create positive ripples for the children of Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

The foundation, which the Shemwell family established after Marco, their 4-year-old son, died two days after he was struck by a car on Sept. 15, 2018, is collecting items during a holiday toy drive and concert.

“We did a small toy drive last year,” Liz Shemwell, Marco’s mother, said. “It was really before the foundation had taken off. One of our neighbors had a Christmas party and had everyone bring gifts. So, we wanted to continue the tradition in a bigger way.”

The toys collected benefit the KCH Child Life Program, which is a specialized service providing play opportunities for patients of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital and their families.

“When we were in the hospital with Marco, the Child Life Program basically took care of every single one of Maximo’s (Marco’s older brother) needs during that time,” Liz said. “The program is very near and dear to our hearts.”

Liz said items received during the holiday season toy drive often set the KCH Child Life Program up for the entire year.

“We wanted to be able to say thanks to them in a big way and kind of help them out like they helped us out,” Liz said.

People can help by bringing a new toy or book, and joining the foundation for a night of live music with performances by Peace of Bluegrass and Kids in Revival 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Leeds Center for the Arts. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets for The Marco Shemwell Foundation Toy Drive & Concert are $5 plus a donation of a new toy or book. Toys benefit KCH while ticket sales benefit the foundation.

“It doesn’t cost a lot, and it’s a fun way to celebrate the season and spend time with your family and friends and also be able to give back to the community all in one event,” Liz said.

For those who can’t make it to the event, Resilience Physical Therapy is collecting toys for the foundation until Dec. 14.

In the week following the event, the Shemwells will deliver the toys to the hospital.

Liz said the foundation is accepting toys for all age groups, but the hospital is in greater need of toys and books for the infant to toddler age group as well as for teens.

“It’s important for us, no. 1, to give back to the community in some way in honor of Marco,” she said. “The reason that Child Life is so important to us is because when we were there with Marco, they were a significant part of Maximo’s therapy and healing when we needed someone to take care of him and take care of us.”