John Brian Theissen

"When John was 17 years old he was hospitalized at a local children’s hospital with a brain tumor. During his stay he and his family befriended a seven year-old girl named Tasha. This little girl was in and out of the hospital throughout the year receiving a variety of treatments for her illness. She received very little family support. Tasha was dropped off and then picked up again when it was time to go home without ever having a visitor. She was excited about a Christmas party sponsored by the hospital staff and was expecting her family to attend, but unfortunately, they did not. John was still too ill to attend, however, his family happily brought Tasha to the party. When Santa asked her what she wanted Tasha replied, “I would like a teddy bear for my friend John who is too sick to come.” To this day, John will still say how fortunate he is to have been Tasha's friend. John vowed that when he got out of the hospital he would help children just like Tasha. Her positive attitude and generous spirit have inspired him to create an organization that now reaches out to hundreds of thousands of children throughout New York State. "

"In 1992 John held his first toy drive during the holidays to benefit children in local hospitals. During this toy drive he collected over 800 hundred new toys in just two weeks and brought them to three hospitals. That was the start of what has become his year-round mission. Since 1992, John has collected over 300,000 new toys and has donated them to sick and needy children in over 150 hospitals and child care facilities. In more recent years, John has expanded his organization to include fund-raisers. This year's fund-raisers include: Bowling for Dollars, Meet the Athlete, Back to School Night, Golf Invitational, Annual School Supply Drive, and the NFL NY Jets 'Kick for Dollars.' "

John is someone who took a moment to notice the kindness and generosity of one little girl. That moment has since changed the lives of everyone he has touched with his own genuine kindness and generosity, not only those who have received gifts through John's selfless work, but to those of us who are fortunate enough to have him in our lives personally. I know I am better for having known my brother-in-law John Theissen. He is an angel and hero to many. John is one of the people who can deservingly be called an angel on earth.