Jared Boxes
The Jared Box Project was created following the death of Jared McMullen in 2020. In
1999, Jared was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Prior to his death he carried a
backpack full of toys and games to his appointments and questioned why the other children
didn’t bring toys to their exam rooms. He shared his toys and invited other children to join
him. At the age of five, he demonstrated faith, wisdom and compassion for others. Jared’s
classmates created boxes filled with toys and sent them to a local hospital. What
started as a one-time project, has grown into a nonprofit that reaches children throughout
our fifty states.
1999, Jared was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor. Prior to his death he carried a
backpack full of toys and games to his appointments and questioned why the other children
didn’t bring toys to their exam rooms. He shared his toys and invited other children to join
him. At the age of five, he demonstrated faith, wisdom and compassion for others. Jared’s
classmates created boxes filled with toys and sent them to a local hospital. What
started as a one-time project, has grown into a nonprofit that reaches children throughout
our fifty states.
Since Beta Delta began servicing this nonprofit, our chapter has packed 1345
boxes (as of July2022) that have been sent to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
Beta Delta Chapter has donated 1225 Jared Boxes to date!
The goal of the Jared Box Project is to lift the spirits of chronically ill children. The boxes symbolize the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope, and love.
A Jared Box is a shoebox size plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals and are given to chronically ill children. The Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
The Jared Box project was started in 2001 by the children at Our Lady of Victory School in State College, PA to honor their classmate and friend, Jared. He was a brave little boy who battled cancer with courage and faith that continues to inspire us all.
Things we need:
A Jared Box is a shoebox size plastic storage box filled with small gifts, toys, cards, and games. Each box contains items selected for a specific age and gender. The boxes are delivered to hospitals and are given to chronically ill children. The Jared Boxes provide a special diversion for young patients as they receive chemotherapy and other medical treatments.
The Jared Box project was started in 2001 by the children at Our Lady of Victory School in State College, PA to honor their classmate and friend, Jared. He was a brave little boy who battled cancer with courage and faith that continues to inspire us all.
Things we need:
- Small games and puzzles
- Small coloring books and puzzle books (good source—Party City!)
- Costume jewelry
- Small pencil sharpeners
- Small Play-doh
- Small cars and trucks
- Socks—especially cute ones
- Soft play balls
- Small drawing paper---you can even cut copy paper to fit into the shoe box.
- Toys and games for older children—ages 11 and up
- New small books that will fit in a shoe box
- We cannot use stuffed animals, even if they are new. Sorry!
