9-year-old girl gives up birthday presents to gather presents for kids at Golisano Children’s Hospital

Reporter: Emma Heaton Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
(Credit: Golisano Children’s Hospital)

A nine-year-old girl helped Santa this year by delivering a heap of Christmas gifts to Golisano Children’s Hospital.

On Raegan Banker’s ninth birthday, she didn’t ask for the gifts she wanted. “Reagan just decided that because her birthday was so close to Christmas that she didn’t need her presents and that there were other kids that needed them more,” said Raegan’s mom Brittany Banker.

Brittany is proud of her daughter. Other kids Raegan’s age ask for toys on their special day, but she asked for donations.

“I thought it could be like a present to the Golisano’s. They really don’t have any toys. And so I thought it could be like a Christmas present,” said Raegan.

Christmas gifts for boys and girls at Golisano Children’s Hospital battling sicknesses, no child should ever have to go through.

Brittany said, “It hits home a little bit for us.”

The same sickness that selfishly took the life of Raegan’s older brother, Payton, eight years ago.

“He used to be at the house going through a lot of brain cancer. And it was probably really, really hard for him. And I felt when I got older, maybe I can like donate presents and stuff to other people to make them happy. And make them proud,” said Raegen.

Raegan said her brother’s legacy is what makes her selfless. She donated $1,000 worth of gifts for kids to wake up to on Christmas even when they feel lost or alone.

Raegan said, “I thought some people should get gifts because some people don’t really get that much people to visit them.”

The Banker family said there is no stopping now. They’ll do the same thing next year to continue the tradition but hope to make it even bigger.

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