It’s been two years since their 6-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia but the Babiak family is still feeling the love and support of the Wayland an Hopkins schools community from a holiday toy drive for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Allison and Jason Babiak and family worked with Wayland Union and Hopkins Schools to hold a district-wide toy drive for the children’s hospital. The EPIC Toy Drive began Nov. 14 and will end Friday, Dec. 9. They asked the community to donate toys, books, crafts and games. Right now they estimate approximately 500 items have already been donated.

“We are so thankful for all the donations and we know it will mean a lot to the children at the hospital. We’re overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity,” said Alison Babiak, a Wayland Middle School teacher. Her husband teaches at Hopkins.

The Wayland High School charity basketball game Saturday afternoon also will send proceeds and donations to Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.

Alison Babiak, along with fellow teachers and student council students will help collect the items next Tuesday from all six buildings, load them on a school bus and deliver them to the hospital.

Dawson is still undergoing treatment for leukemia until 2018. He is a first-grader at Baker Elementary School in Wayland.