Erin Puck was 12 and 1/2 years old when she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. While undergoing her own treatment, she started collecting toys for other children because she found that sometimes toys could calm fears better than words.

Now that Erin is healthy and strong, her wish is to continue calming the fears of children suffering through difficult treatments, surgeries or medical procedures, and the loneliness that these experiences bring. By giving children toys, books, videos, crafts, and other items, or supplying the hospitals with laptop computers so kids can stay connected, Erin hopes to make the time children spend in the hospital much more bearable.

Erin's Motivation:
One year radiation/chemotherapy for a brain tumor

Erin's Accomplishments to Date:
Toys Calm has distributed more than 75,000 books, toys and games, 54 laptop computers to local hospitals, and has raised almost $130,000.

Erin's Honors:

• 2001 Junior Humanitarian of the Year Award, by the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties
• 2002 Fleet Small Business Leadership Award
• 2003 CIBC World Markets' - USA Miracle Day Award ($10,000 award for my charity)
• First student honored by the N.J. State Board of Education in recognition of my service to the community
• State of New Jersey General Assembly Citation for Outstanding Young Volunteer
• New Jersey General Assembly Resolution
• Outstanding Young Volunteer awarded by the VFW Post 2179 and Ladies Auxiliary
• New Jersey State Council Columbiettes Award: in recognition of outstanding dedication and humanitarian servics for the welfare of others
• Mayor Rose Marie Peters and Middletown Township Committee, Outstanding Young Volunteer Award
• Service Above Self Award, Point Pleasant Borough Rotary Club
• Remarkable Young Person's recognition from the Rainbow Foundation
• Soroptimist International of Monmouth County, Award for Volunteer Services

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