By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Christmas came early for a group of pediatric patients at OSF Saint James – John W. Albrecht Medical Center Monday.

The Livingston Anglers had collected several boxes of toys and a group of patients got to pick their favorites. Exercise Physiologist Evan DuPrey enjoyed and appreciated the fun everyone had.

“It’s going towards a great cause. At the end of the day, anything that’s left over, I’m going to be taking it to the Salvation Army. Keep it local and make sure it goes to a good home. I just think this is a great display of serving our community. It doesn’t matter if you’re doing cardiac rehab or physical rehab or working with pediatric patient or involved with the community, we all saw a need and we were all able to come together and do some good, which is what it’s all about,” DuPrey said.

A box was saved for future pediatric patients and for the emergency department before the remainder was taken to the Salvation Army.