Matthew's Eagle Project

Books For Christmas

My name is Matthew Shelley.

I was born with a hole in my diaphragm. My stomach and intestines were up in my chest cavity, so my lungs could not inflate. I was flown immediately to Primary Children's Hospital. The doctors said I needed surgery and only had a 50 percent chance of surviving.

The great news is I lived, and now thirteen years later, I'm working on my eagle scout rank advancement. Because of my time at Primary Children's Hospital, I'm doing an Eagle Project that would benefit other children that may be staying at the hospital over the holidays.

A few days before Christmas my scout troop and I will wrap and deliver new children's books to Primary Children's Hospital as Christmas presents for the children there.

Remember that Christmas morning excitement of picking up a brightly wrapped present with a glittering green bow. The smell of mom cooking bacon and hotcakes. The joy of siblings laughing as they unwrap their presents. The taste of a peppermint candy cane on your tongue.

Children stuck in the hospital over Christmas may not have a chance to experience the joy of Christmas at home this year. I'd like to give them a least a little taste of the excitement of Christmas morning.

You can help by donating new children's books for us to deliver!

If you have a favorite children's book that you would like to donate. Please send it to me at:

Books for Primary Children's
C/O Matthew Shelley
5461 W. 4605 S.
Salt Lake City, UT 84120

We will be taking donations through December 18th.

Or, you can donate money through paypal that will be used to buy new children's books and wrapping paper to wrap the presents. To donate click on the donate button below. If you have a specific book you would like purchased to give the children, go ahead and put your request in the comments section when you donate.

If you would like a copy of the receipt that shows exactly what was purchased to give to the children, you may also include that in the comments section.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Last day

Well I'm done with my eagle project, and it was a lot of fun! We got almost 200 donations thanks to all your terrific support. We couldn't have done it without all our wonderful donors. We wrapped the presents and took them up to the hospital. The kids were happy and enjoyed getting such great Christmas presents. My sister's friend's brother was even up there at the time, so he probably got one. Here are some photos of the wrapping party. Thanks again everyone for your support.

Friday, December 17, 2010

day 8

hi everyone
we now have 169 out of 500 items and more on the way.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 7

We now have 88 out of 500 and more on the way
thanks to all who have donated so far
Matthew

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 6

Well we now have 71 out of 500 items and more on the way big thanks for the donations so far everyone.

Matthew Shelley

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Day 5

well so far we got 67 items out of 500 and more on the way. thanks for all your generous donations I'm really excited about doing this. We'll be wrapping the presents on Dec 18 from 1-4 PM.
Anyone interested in helping can contact me at 801-966-2393.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 4

hello we now have 43 out of 500 items thanks to all the people who are donating things.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 3

Well we got 27 out of 500 and a bunch more on the way. Thanks everyone who has donated something so far.