5-year-old collects over 13,000 boxes of crayons for sick children

DETROIT (FOX 2) - At just 5 and a half years old, Brooklyn Brown knows what it's like to be in the hospital waiting for doctors.

Brooklyn has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and wanted to do what she could to help other kids who aren't feeling very good - "so kids can be happy and not sad when they wait for their doctor," she said.

"She knows what it's like to be in pain and just not be able to move at all so coloring has been something she can do and that felt normal to her so she feels like most kids can do that," said her mother, Rychee.

That's why she started Brooklyn's Crayon Drive 2019. She's certainly qualified, pretty much an expert on coloring and crayons.

We first met this adorable little girl when FOX 2's Erika Erickson brought you Brooklyn's story a couple of weeks ago. Since then, her family says, the donations have been pouring in.

"We've been getting donations from across the country actually," Rychee said.

Children's Hospital is grateful as well. According to Brooklyn’s final count, she's collected more than 13,000 boxes of crayons. Coloring is a great distraction from being sick.

"It gives them an opportunity to think about something more fun - something that's not medical tests or procedures or all the other stuff they're dealing with," said Sinead Nimmo, Child Life Specialist. "They can just be kids for a while."

"These crayons today are certainly going to help as we are extremely full and our staff is ready to dive into these and take them upstairs so again we just want to thank Brooklyn and her amazing family," said Luanne Thomas Ewald, CEO Children's Hospital of Michigan.

A kind, ambitious child with a big heart and crayons decorating her dress, and her super proud parents are happy to have made this special delivery.