Kansas City nonprofit donates 1,500 toys to Abilene hospital

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A Kansas City-based nonprofit made its first-ever trip to Texas this weekend, bringing a message of hope, love, and kindness — along with 1,500 toys for children receiving treatment at a local hospital.

The organization, A Kind Act (AKA), selects a different state and children’s hospital each year to visit, delivering hundreds of toys to kids who could use a reason to smile. This year, Abilene was chosen.

Co-founder Alycee Valdivia, who personally delivered the donation, began the project 20 years ago after receiving a life-changing medical diagnosis. In her late 20s and raising a newborn, doctors told her she had the kidney function of an 80-year-old and might not have much time left. That moment reshaped her life.

For her birthday each year, Valdivia now combines her love for travel with her passion for giving — choosing to spend it by gifting children who are facing their own medical battles.

“I think kindness is something we can all do in a world where we don’t have control over some things,” Valdivia said.

She explained that acts of kindness not only help the children, but help her too — keeping her motivated to live healthier, do better, and stay focused on others.

“Kids — I don’t know what they’re going through, but I know they’re going through something to be in the hospital. And I can’t control that. What I can control is trying to bring them a smile and to break them away from their reality for five minutes, even. It’s such a joy. And it fills me. But I hope more than that, it fills them.”