Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Will Heitkamper’s dad challenged him to do something for others that was bigger than himself. The idea for what to do next came easily to the then eighth grader.

Will, who recently graduated from St. Edward Catholic School in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, decided to organize a toy drive in support of his family’s charity, Jarrett’s Joy Cart. The Louisville chapter of the charity, run by Will’s grandparents, Margaret and Mike Wagner, has been raising funds to provide toys, meals and other support to cancer patients at Norton Children’s Hospital for nearly 25 years.

“Will approached the school and suggested collecting toys,” Margaret said. “He sent letters, put a promotion in the weekly newsletter, announced it to the parish and shared a little bit about the charity.”

The St. Edward community rallied around Will’s efforts, and he collected more than 200 toys this spring.

“[The toys] were all around,” Will said. “We had a table set up in our church, and the toys were surrounding the table, underneath it and on top. It was great.”

Will has memories of accompanying his grandmother to 7 West, the pediatric cancer unit at Norton Children’s Hospital, as a young child and waiting in the chapel while his family distributed toys.

Inspired by the compassion and resilience of Margaret’s nephew, Jarrett Mynear, Jarrett’s Joy Cart of Louisville was created in 2002 following Jarrett’s passing at age 13. The organization was founded to bring moments of comfort, excitement and normalcy to children facing long hospital stays during cancer treatment.

After being diagnosed with cancer six times between ages 2 and 13, Jarrett understood firsthand how lonely and difficult life in the hospital could be. Through the friendships his family formed during his treatment journey, Jarrett realized how meaningful it was to know others were thinking about him. He decided he wanted to help other children feel remembered and supported during their own battles.

Since then, Jarrett’s Joy Cart of Louisville has raised and invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to support children and families receiving cancer treatment at Norton Children’s Hospital. In addition to providing toy deliveries, games, regular meals, gift cards, backpacks and special events, the organization has helped fund play spaces, hospital programs, family support initiatives and resources that bring comfort, relief and joy to children facing cancer, continuing Jarrett’s legacy of compassion and hope for others.

After hosting its annual “A Time for Joy Gala” in April, Jarrett’s Joy Cart of Louisville donated two mobile video game carts for cancer patients at Norton Children’s Hospital.

Margaret credits the decades-long success of Jarrett’s Joy Cart to the dedication of many friends and family who volunteer weekly and continue to fundraise. She said it’s also inspiring to see the next generation of her family, including her daughter-in-law, nieces, grandchildren, and now Will, choose to get involved with Jarrett’s Joy Cart.

“I’m just really impressed that they get it,” she said. “They’re able to see the importance and look beyond their daily lives to see how they can help other people.”

“What started with Jarrett’s desire to bring joy to other kids during their hospital stays nearly 25 years ago has grown into an incredible legacy of compassion and generosity,” said Lynnie Meyer, R.N., Ed.D., FAHP, CFRE, senior vice president and chief development officer, Norton Children’s. “We are so grateful to Margaret, Mike, Will and the entire family for their dedication over the years, and it’s especially meaningful to see the next generation continuing that mission and helping support the future of Norton Children’s.”