This Thanksgiving Day, The Children’s Inn at NIH is grateful to our youngest donors, youngsters such as Andy Wexler, 10, of Gaithersburg and Grayer Warren, 7, of Laurel, who sold toys and sacrificed birthday presents to help children at The Inn.

Grayer collected toys around his house and raided some from his family to sell at a local kids community sale, raising more than $350 for The Inn. He delivered the check with his mom, Shamay Knox, who works at NIH, along with homemade chocolate chip cookies.

Andy, an avid athlete, decided to mark his 10^th birthday by asking dozens of friends and family members to donate sports items to The Inn. He and his dad brought $350 worth of bats, balls, books – all of it sports related.  On Thanksgiving Day with warmer temperatures, Inn families will be able to enjoy Andy’s gifts on the lighted Sports Court.

'Andy has shared his passion for play, a gift that has given Children’s Inn families a much-needed break,’’ said Laura King, The Inn’s Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach.

"We are thankful to Andy and Grayer and all of our young supporters who give to their peers at The Inn,’’ said Kathy L. Russell, The Inn’s CEO. She noted all the scout troops, school and youth faith groups that support The Inn regularly.

The Children’s Inn at NIH is a residential "place like home" for up to 59 seriously ill children and their families who stay together while participating in groundbreaking medical treatments at the NIH, the world's leading biomedical research center. While the NIH takes care of the child's medical needs, The Inn tends to the child's heart, soul and spirit. Families stay at The Inn free of charge, no matter how long.