Courtesy Photo | Nearly 60 volunteers support a local toy drive with a wrapping party coordinated by...... read more read more
For one Knoxville MEPS medical technician, Shawn Waite, the holidays are more than a time of celebration—they are an opportunity to make a difference. Inspired by his own experiences with tragedy and resilience, Waite spent the past several months organizing a massive toy drive to bring cheer to children affected by recent flooding due to Hurricane Helene in North Carolina communities.
The initiative, affectionately dubbed the “Mystery Wonderland,” began as a way to ensure no child would wake up without a holiday gift. This effort is part of a broader commitment to giving back, one deeply rooted in his own story of loss and survival. Eight years ago, his family narrowly escaped a wildfire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, that claimed their home and nearly took their lives.
“My son basically missed Christmas that year,” said Waite, who is a Navy veteran and medical technician at the Knoxville MEPS. “We were living in a hotel for 42 days after the fire, and so I don’t want other kids to feel how he felt.”
The Gatlinburg wildfire was a pivotal moment for Waite – it revealed the power of community and kindness that would have a lasting impact on both Waite, his family and surrounding communities.
“We lost everything,” he recalled. “If we’d stayed five minutes longer, we wouldn’t have made it. But because of the incredible kindness of strangers, we were able to rebuild. Now, it’s my turn to pay it forward.”
Waite’s passion for helping others led him to rally his community, coworkers and friends across the country. Over 2,000 gifts, including everything from toys to game consoles, were donated, shipped and stored in his home—where the boxes soon stacked taller than he stood.
He initially wanted to help 10-20 children in the community that had been affected by the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, which quickly turned into an overwhelming – or so he thought – 200 kids. With the support of the community, this number turned into more than 2,000 gifts for children of Burnsville, North Carolina.
“I asked everyone I knew to contribute, whether by buying a gift or donating cash,” he said. “The response was overwhelming. People sent boxes daily, and we even received $8,000 in cash donations.”
While grateful, Waite quickly realized he had another problem to solve.
“I had a new dilemma – my wife calls me a monkey with two thumbs when it comes wrapping presents,” said Waite.
With such an outpouring of support, he coordinated a massive wrapping party with over 60 volunteers, including colleagues from the MEPS and his wife’s workplace, a local hospital. In just four hours, they wrapped every gift, carefully organized by age and gender, ensuring each child received something special.
On December 14, he and a team of volunteers delivered the presents to children in the mountains. The first 200 gifts were handed out at the “Mystery Wonderland,” where he dressed as the Grinch, his son as Max the dog and a friend as Santa. The remaining gifts were distributed through local schools.
“My son has been a huge part of this effort,” he shared. “He helped wrap presents and even said, ‘Dad, this is the best thing I’ve ever been a part of.’ That’s my why - teaching him and others that when we give back, we can inspire a ripple effect of kindness.”
This year’s initiative builds on his previous efforts, including raising $2,500 to help single parents buy groceries during the holidays in 2023. But this toy drive is the largest project yet—and one he hopes to continue in years to come.
“When people ask me why I do this, the answer is simple: I want to give others the same hope and help my family received. If even one person I’ve helped goes on to help someone else, it’s all been worth it.”
As a veteran, father and dedicated MEPS medical technician who won USMEPCOM employee of the year earlier this year, this Knoxville hero embodies the spirit of service and community. His tireless work ensures that, even in the face of hardship, the holiday season remains a time of joy and generosity for families in need.
| Date Taken: | 12.23.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.23.2024 09:41 |
| Story ID: | 488201 |
| Location: | NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Knoxville MEPS Med Tech Brings Hope to Local Families This Holiday Season, by Ashley Toomey, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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