Woodland Star Students In The News

Woodland Star students place in Sonoma Valley Middle School Writing Faire

• 1st place, fiction category: Sophia Williams, 8th grade
• 2nd place, non-fiction category: Connor Ebert, 8th grade
• 3rd place, non-fiction category: Madison Raffaini, 8th grade
• Honorable mention, non-fiction category: Ruben Cromeyer, 8th grade
• 3rd place, poetry category: Jenna Ebert, 6th grade

Distributing comfort to sick kids

AUSTIN CHAPIN, 14, with some of the items he’s collected for his newly established foundation “Play for Pediatrics,” which provides toys for children in the emergency room at Sonoma Valley Hospital.

Robbi Pengelly/Index-Tribune

Austin Chapin, 14, knows what it’s like to be scared and alone in a hospital. He also knows how comforting even small things, like a stuffed animal, can be during that time.

When Austin was 12, he developed a rare condition called Steven Johnson Syndrome, which is a severe allergic reaction triggered by certain prescription drugs. A painful rash spread across Austin’s skin, both inside and outside his body, and he was immediately sent to UCSF Medical Center where he spent nine frightening days undergoing treatment.

“At UCSF, their hospitality was amazing. I could get anything with the push of a button,” Austin said, adding that he could play video games, get snacks and other luxuries. But it was a small, stuffed bear he was handed when he first entered the hospital that meant the most to him.

“Any other time I probably would have just thrown it aside,” he said. “Since I felt like I was about to die, it meant a lot to me. It helped distract me.”

Austin has since recovered, but the experience made a lasting impression that carried with him. As an eighth grader at Woodland Star Charter School, he was charged with spending at least 20 hours on a final school project, similar to the senior projects Sonoma Valley High School students must complete before graduating. Students played the stock market, explored links between learning and autism and studied the Hoover Dam, but Austin wanted something with more lasting value.

So he created his own foundation, called “Play for Pediatrics,” which will operate under the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation umbrella. Its mission is to collect new toys that can be given away to every child who ends up in the emergency room at Sonoma Valley Hospital.

“Austin’s desire to help make the hospital a warm and friendly place for our young patients is admirable and inspirational,” said Harmony Plenty, executive director of the Hospital Foundation. “Seeing this spirit of philanthropy in the next generation warms my heart. Children and adults alike can learn from Austin’s wonderful example.”

Austin worked closely with the hospital to design his foundation, meeting with Dr. Jared Hubbell, director of emergency services, to ensure he selected appropriate toys for a hospital setting.

Then he set out to collect donations from Valley businesses, which taught a shy Austin how to approach strangers and ask for help. He said this was the most challenging, and one of the most rewarding, aspects of his project. But mostly, he’s excited his project will bring comfort to other kids in their time of need.

“It’s the fact that I’m going to be able to help kids who were in a situation like I was in,” he said. “I’m just happy I could help out.”

So far he’s collected more than 100 toys, including stuffed animals, coloring books and art supplies. He also accepts cash donations that he uses to buy toys at the Dollar Store.

He presented his project to teachers, students, parents and faculty two weeks ago, but won’t know until the end of the year what grade he’ll get.

“Austin’s teacher has expressed how pleased she was with Austin’s work,” his mom, Samantha Chapin, beamed.

He plans to continue dropping off donations to the emergency department for the foreseeable future. “If I have a senior project, I can reflect on continuing (the foundation),” he said. 

To donate, contact the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation at 935-5070 or visit www.svh.com/foundation. Check donations can be made to Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation with “Play for Pediatrics” in the memo line.