The holiday season is upon us, and for many, that means spending time with loved ones. One local church used some of their holiday spirit to help a family honor a special little girl who’s no longer with us by collecting toys for children in need.
At just five years old, Yoleena Hull was diagnosed with leukemia and battled with the illness for about 16 months.
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Yoleena passed away in 2014 at the age of six. Mrs. Hull said that she and her husband wanted to honor her, and after several years of grieving, they are proud to be hosting the third annual Princess Yoleena Hull Memorial Toy Drive.
“With the spirit that she had, when we was in Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, she would always go to the other children’s room to help them or give them toys, to you know, just to strengthen them and to be their friend. So, in honor of her, we will have the toy drive since she had the spirit of giving,” said Yoleena’s mother, Yolanda Hull.
Her parents said that while they wish they had more time with her, they thank God for the opportunity to be her parents and the joy that she gave not only to them but to everyone around her.
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“I closed the door and she’s laying in bed because she couldn’t get up. And she saying, ‘open up the door, open up the door,’ I’m crying, my wife, crying, why we opening up the door, you know…I can’t remember the little girl’s name, she said, ‘She’s supposed to walk 10 laps and she ain’t walked today. Tell her I can’t walk with her today, but I’m going to count every lap she walks past my room,” her father Floyd Hull said, recounting the moments after they were told the heartbreaking news that Yoleena’s Leukemia was terminal.
The Hulls said that last year they were able to help around 300 families and that their goal for this year is to serve at least 500 families.