From classrooms to hospital rooms: Volunteers deliver Easter smiles to local kids

Yahoo

19-04-2025

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- Dozens of children across the Permian Basin received a joyful surprise this Easter: hand-assembled baskets packed with toys, candy, and comfort, thanks to a growing network of local volunteers and a nonprofit group.
The effort was led by Coffee and Connections, a new initiative focused on community outreach and service. Partnering with Family Promise, Ranger Outreach, and Midland Memorial Hospital, the group assembled and delivered more than 100 Easter baskets throughout the region.
'It's important to realize that Easter is more than just the candy and the toys,' said Derrick Black, founder of Coffee and Connections. 'We're really relating that message out and really making an impact to explain why we celebrate Easter and why we do what we do.'
Each basket was filled with small toys, candy, coloring books, foam slime, and a children's Easter Bible.
'We have some awesome little coloring books. We also have a children's first Easter Bible in there,' said one volunteer at the build site. 'The impact we're making here today is going to put smiles on at least 100 kids' faces on Easter morning.'
After the baskets were built, volunteers delivered them to various locations, including Midland ISD's special needs programs.
'So our next stop was MISD, and we got to work with the special needs kids there,' Black said. 'The minute we walked in the door and we had those baskets in our hands, the room went chaotic. They got so excited. I mean, we got hugs. The kids were dancing. Right away, they tore into the baskets. They were playing with the toys.'
He added, 'Again, it's all about what we're trying to do to deliver happiness and just to keep that mission rolling forward. So all in all, it's been a terrific drive.'
Midland Memorial Hospital was another key partner. Staff at the pediatric unit said the outreach felt especially personal.
'Derrick came knocking on my office door,' said Ashley Barnes, nurse manager for the pediatric unit. 'He's like, I'm really excited and really passionate about this project…I want to be involved. How do I help you guys? What can I do for the kids? What are the patient census look like?… He's really trying to tailor these baskets to fit the needs of these kids, which is incredible.'
Barnes added, 'It means a lot to us here at Midland Memorial that we do have kids that have to be admitted during the holiday seasons. The fact that someone is willing to be so gracious and help these kids and donate and take time out of their day to make those kids feel special just means the world to us. So we're very grateful.'
Barnes said her nursing team was excited to give out the baskets, and that 'every kid that gets admitted this weekend will be getting one as well.'
Black shared that the initiative has only been operating for a few months and that their mission is just beginning.
'We've only been running for a couple months. Our paperwork just got filed in March. I'm hoping to hear something really soon,' Black said. 'And when we do, I mean, the doors are going to blow wide open.'
He added that they're already building partnerships with local nonprofits like 311 Ministries, One Bite at a Time, and Rangers Outreach of Greenwood.
'You go to the park and you see children playing, what are you seeing? You're seeing the next generation of kids that are going to take over and have the leadership values that are needed,' Black said. 'And if we could just light one glimmer of hope, happiness, and faith with one child, our mission is accomplished.'
For more information about Coffee and Connections, visit this
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