Volunteer at hospital learned a lesson in giving early in life

Giving away a prized possession as a young child was an early lesson about giving for Sharon Bunn.

Her father owned a gas station in Columbus where there was a tub to collect items for the Salvation Army. He made Bunn give up a teddy bear that was like new so a needy child could get enjoyment from it.

"I was about 3 years old. I cried and cried," said Bunn, now 67. "He told me I had already gotten a year's use out of it and now it was time for someone less fortunate to get to enjoy it. It is something that has stayed with me. You should give to others. Giving is important."

Monday, she was giving joy to sick children at the Children's Hospital at Midtown Medical Center.

Pulling a wagon from room to room, the Columbus woman, dressed in an elf outfit, complete with a musical cap, delivered toys to sick children.

"I never had kids, and being with sick kids at this special time makes my Christmas," she said.

Each child received three stuffed toys, a dancing dog named Jingles, an elf and a music-playing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer with a blinking red nose.

Spending more than $1,000, Bunn purchased online enough toys for 30 children.

This is the third consecutive year she has been bringing the gifts to the hospital.

Bunn said for 13 years she was in charge of a Christmas toy giveaway at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

Assisting her deliver the toys were Columbus Council member Jerry "Pops" Barnes, her sister Carol Henderson and godchild Trish King.

"Carol told me that we may be wrinkly, but we will always be elves," Bunn laughed.

She said it is a thrill to give, and the children were thrilled to get the gifts.

A smiling Camren Thompkins sat up in his bed and couldn't wait to see what the next item would be from Bunn's bag.

"I believe you get back a lot more than you give. This is really the time for giving and everyone should help children," she said.

Bunn believes children who get help will want to help others when they grow older.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 10:06 PM with the headline "Volunteer at hospital learned a lesson in giving early in life ."