Now imagine how difficult it is for a child who's been in the hospital for a longer time than they've been outside of its walls.

Many patients have spent a majority of their childhood at The Children's Hospital in Aurora as they've battled through bouts with disease. A parent may have to quit a job or take an extended amount of time off to be able to keep their son or daughter company in the hospital. The stay is trying on the patience and emotions of every member of a family.

When someone cannot be there, or when the hours seem to drag during a long stay at the hospital, volunteers at The Children's Hospital step up to the plate and deliver where they are needed.

One team of volunteers is actually made up of teenagers who guide red wagons with toys, clothes and toiletries through each hallway at Children's once a month. The group is actually part of a non-profit called Lovelets: Megan's Gifts of Hope.

All of the teenagers are under the leadership of Jenni Greenwald, the president of the group. Jenni is also one of the 2009 9Kids Who Care.

Jenni began her volunteering after the death of a friend at her school, Megan Dickey. Dickey, who stayed at Children's Hospital, died after a long battle with bone cancer.

"When she got sick, it was really devastating," said Jenni. "She was in seventh grade, she had so much energy, and she was so special because she cared about other people. I know she really liked to cheer up other kids when she was at the hospital. She was just a great girl."

After Megan's death in the summer of 2007, Jenni and 30 of her friends began selling bracelets in honor of Megan. The fundraisers provided money to purchase toys, gifts, books and blankets for patients staying at the Presbyterian St. Lukes Hospital.

Soon after that, families and neighbors stepped up to the plate in an even bigger way, making enough donations of gifts to provide something to every patient at The Children's Hospital in Aurora. These days, Lovelets even has donations coming in from Hollywood movie and stuffed animal companies.

"My favorite part of the whole thing is seeing the kids' faces light up," said Jenni. "I know that (Megan) would be smiling down on us from heaven right now."

Jenni has set up a website for Lovelets: Megan's Gifts of Hope, at www.lovelets.org