Minnesota pilots give toys to Allina's Mercy and Unity hospitals

COON RAPIDS, Minn. 12/10/2009--Pilot Glenn Martig of the Experimental Aircraft Association delivered toys to Mercy Hospital's Family Care Unit this week. This is the 19th year that Martig has brought holiday toys to the hospital from the EAA's Tree of Hope program.

Glenn Martig with Mercy nurses and toys.

Pilot Glenn Martig delivered holiday toys for patients at Mercy and Unity hospitals Mon. Dec. 7. With Martig, from left to right, are Mary Charmoli, RN, Jena Potts, RN, and Chris Fisk, RN.

Once each year, pilots from across the state load up their planes with donated toys and fly to the Faribault, Minn. airport. The toys are sorted according to age and sex of the recipients, redistributed and flown back home.

"We really have a lot of fun. We enjoy getting together each year, and I know the kids appreciate the toys," said Martig. Martig belongs to the EAA's Anoka chapter.

"We love having the toys," said Jena Potts, RN. "It's nice to be able to do something special for kids, especially during the holidays."

Mercy and Unity hospitals, located in Coon Rapids and Fridley, are non-profit hospitals that serve the northwestern Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The hospitals are part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics.