Joshua Chamberlain Project hosts holiday gift drive

A couple who lost their 10-year-old son to meningitis just after last Christmas is honoring him with a toy and blanket drive.

The Joshua Chamberlain Project was established by Matt and Christina Peck in honor of their 10-year-old son, Joshua Chamberlain Peck, who died Dec. 30, 2022, after contracting bacterial meningitis.

“Joshua loved coming up with ways or participating in different kindness acts, especially around the holidays,” the family said in a Facebook post.

The Toano boy’s “heart of kindness” also prompted his classmates to start a “kindness squad” and spread acts of kindness last spring.

Through Dec. 22, the drive is accepting new twin or larger size blankets, new unwrapped toys and new holiday decoration items for the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters’ pediatric intensive care unit, where Joshua received treatment during his illness.

“The love and support we felt during our time there was so helpful in such a difficult time,” Josh’s family wrote on Facebook. “We hope to be able to provide that warmth for other families in an otherwise stark hospital room.”

Already, the project has made a delivery of more than 250 blankets, stuffed animals, toys and holiday decorations, and the family hopes to deliver plenty more.

“All of your kindness and donations will help decorate a child’s room, keep them and their family members warm, and provide gifts and activities for them and their siblings,” the project said in another Facebook post. “I can assure you all Josh is honored to have these children and families supported in his name during his favorite time of year.”

Donations can be given online or dropped off at locations around Hampton Roads. The project set up an Amazon wish list, which can be found at www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/ZB26NCPVEV3X. Drop box locations are available upon request, either by email at the.joshua.chamberlain.project@gmail.com or by phone at 757-634-3882.

Joshua was a fourth grader at Laurel Lane Elementary School in James City County when he became ill last December. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and died after a 12-day fight.

His parents called Joshua an “old soul” with a keen interest in retro cars and vintage technology. In school, Joshua was known as a sweet and kind kid who volunteered in the computer lab during recess to help kindergartners learn more about computers. He was also elected as a class historian, documenting school events, and was a member of the Boy Scouts.

Sian Wilkerson, 757-342-6616, sian.wilkerson@pilotonline.com