TUPELO, Mississippi—Jacey Eldridge of Vaiden, a senior at Mississippi State University, will soon wrap up her college internship at North Mississippi Medical Center—but she’s leaving her mark on the hospital’s Pediatrics Unit.

Eldridge is majoring in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Child Life, which prepares her for a career helping meet mental, emotional and social needs of hospitalized children and their parents.

During her internship, Eldridge has done just that! One of her major projects has been to organize NMMC’s toy room that serves the Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately, a higher than usual number of pediatric patients in recent months has created a shortage of toys. Eldridge and the Pediatrics team have compiled a list of the most-needed items (sensory toys, puzzles) and supplies (such as finger paint) and are asking the community to help through a Toy Drive.

Items may be purchased from or inspired by the toy drive’s Amazon gift list; search for registrant “Jacey Taylor Eldridge.” Items may be shipped via Amazon to NMMC or dropped off to the Lobby Information Desk at 830 S. Gloster St., Tupelo.

Monetary donations to the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi are also welcome. Send these to  Venmo (@nmhsfoundation) or PayPal (foundation@nmhs.net) earmarked “Toy Drive.”