Winter Garden Nonprofit Brings Holiday Cheer to Hospitalized Children

In 2010, Rene Porter of Winter Garden experienced a profound moment when she entered the hospital room of her friends' son, Greyson Heineke.

Instead of the usual sterile environment, the room radiated warmth with twinkling lights, garlands, and a small decorated tree.

This heartfelt gesture provided solace to the Heineke family during a challenging period as doctors sought answers for Greyson's seizures.

Inspired by this transformation, Porter founded The Greyson Project in honor of Greyson, who passed away shortly after his first birthday.

The nonprofit's mission is to deliver holiday decorations to families spending the season in hospitals, ensuring they experience the joy and comfort of festive surroundings.

Since its inception, The Greyson Project has expanded significantly.

In 2024 alone, the organization delivered 2,418 bags of decorations to 41 hospitals across 16 states, bringing cheer to countless families.

Community involvement has been pivotal to this growth.

Residents of Winter Garden and beyond have contributed by assembling decoration bags, volunteering, and donating funds.

Local businesses have also played a crucial role by serving as drop-off locations for these festive packages.

For those interested in supporting The Greyson Project, there are several ways to get involved:

**Assemble a Decoration Bag:**

Fill a bag with approved items such as artificial trees (4 feet tall or under), battery-operated lights, garlands, stockings, shatter-proof ornaments, window clings, DIY decoration kits, tree skirts, and fun non-skid socks.

Ensure all items are new, with tags attached, and avoid including food, real plants, breakable ornaments, or stuffed animals.

**Volunteer:**

Assist with checking and delivering bags to hospitals.

**Donate:**

Monetary contributions help purchase additional decorations and cover operational costs.

To find a drop-off location or learn more about how to contribute, visit The Greyson Project's official website.

Through collective efforts, The Greyson Project continues to honor Greyson's memory by bringing light and joy to families facing difficult times during the holiday season.