MONROE — For one Monroe family, a sore throat during the holidays a few years ago proved potentially tragic, but they took that health scare and are turning it into a new tradition of giving back to the community.
Local businessman Chris Coplien’s Christmas effort to collect toys for sick kids at UW Children’s Hospital in Madison is now in its second year, and it grew out of the experience he and wife Val had with their now 7-year-old son Declan.
Their ordeal began in December 2023 when Declan, one of three Coplien children, started having sore throats. Test after test, and antibiotics failed to provide answers. Then, their worst fears were confirmed when doctors at UW Children’s told the Coplien’s Declan had a form of leukemia, a blood cancer that often strikes children.
“That was tough news to get,” said Chris Coplien. “Everything in our lives turned on a dime that day. We were devastated but we were also ready to fight it.”
And so began two years of chemo and other therapies. Declan, his dad said, has thrived and his cancer seems to be in a period of regression — an outcome that the family prayed desperately for. In fact, he is so healthy now, that he can play sports, including on a traveling sports team.
“If you looked at him, you wouldn’t know he fought this awful disease,” he said, adding that Declan has had massive support during his ordeal from Monroe residents, school staff and in the community.
To get to this point, though, the Copliens had to spend countless hours at the Madison hospital, seeing first-hand the struggles of Declan and other children — sometimes alone or with little support away from home. Coplien said the experience deeply impacted him and his family.
“Seeing what these kids go through up there every day is just amazing,” he said, adding that he wanted to find a way to put a little joy into the lives of those children at Christmas. “So, it’s just to make sure they get something that is theirs, so they can have a little joy despite what they are going through and where they are at.”
Coplien’s been using social media primarily and word of mouth to get the word out.
Their Facebook page is: “Cheering souls, clearing minds, and warming bodies UW toy drive.” The family learned from UW officials that while hospital staff do collect a lot of toys for the holidays, they typically run out shortly after the first of the year, leaving them with nothing to offer kids the rest of the winter.
That first year, the Copliens collected and delivered about a pick-up truck load to the hospital in January. This year the goal is a larger commercial truck load, and they are well on their way.
Coplien said those wishing to help can drop a new, unwrapped toy off at two drop off locations, Toy Haus on the Square, and Monroe Engraving. They also are having a pair of “fill the trailer” events — the first on Dec. 5 as part of the Monroe Christmas parade, on the south side of the square; and on Dec. 13 St. Victor’s.
For toys purchased for the drive from Toy Haus, the store is taking 10 percent off the retail price.
“It’s just a great cause, and we are glad to be a part of it,” said Toy Haus Co-owner Stacy Hill. “The reception from the community has been great.”
The store also is doing a silent auction for a giant Pokémon card — with the proceeds going to the Coplien’s toy effort. She said so far Toy Haus has filled up a large box of toys for the drive.
“We love doing this, it has brought us so much joy,” said Coplien. “If we can go even bigger next year, we will.”
