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Local radio station, Tri-Cities police deliver joy to kids in the hospital

Santa came early for children in the pediatric unit at Kadlec Regional Medical Center.

Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero and Kennewick and Richland officers helped make the delivery, which was put together by the Little family.

Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero and volunteers help unload toys collected through the Kennewick Police Department Foundation donations and Adam and Jen’s Christmas Tree of Cash to donate to the Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s pediatrics unit to give presents to children and their families in the hospital in Richland during the Christmas holiday.
Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero and volunteers help unload toys collected through the Kennewick Police Department Foundation donations and Adam and Jen’s Christmas Tree of Cash to donate to the Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s pediatrics unit to give presents to children and their families in the hospital in Richland during the Christmas holiday. Scott Hunt Special to the Herald

Swigg Coffee Bar, STCU and SpeedyMovers also helped with make Christmas bright for the children in the hospital.

Jen Little from 94.9 The Wolf said their family spent many holidays in the hospital when their son Jazz was younger and being treated for Crohn’s disease.

Sgt/ Jacob Tansy and officers from the Richland Police Department and Kennewick Police Department help support the Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s pediatrics unit toy drive to give presents to children and their families in the Richland hospital during the Christmas holiday.
Sgt/ Jacob Tansy and officers from the Richland Police Department and Kennewick Police Department help support the Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s pediatrics unit toy drive to give presents to children and their families in the Richland hospital during the Christmas holiday. Scott Hunt Special to the Herald

“This started really young for us,” Little said. “His having something to look forward to, to feel normal, we know what that felt like.”

At four years old, with his condition improving, Little said Jazz decided he wanted to help other kids in the hospital.

Jaxon Little, left, and his brother, Jazz, present a gift of cash donation to Jenny Jones Child Life Specialist at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland to help fund meal vouchers for families of pediatric patients in the hospital over the holiday.
Jaxon Little, left, and his brother, Jazz, present a gift of cash donation to Jenny Jones Child Life Specialist at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland to help fund meal vouchers for families of pediatric patients in the hospital over the holiday. Scott Hunt Special to the Herald

In addition to the toys they collect throughout the year, they also donate cash to help families pay for meals when their children are in the hospital.

Little said the annual Tree of Cash and Prizes started with just their family, but grew as the radio station joined them. They’ve now been doing the holiday drive for eight years with 94.9.

Scott Hunt contributed to this article.

This story was originally published December 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM.

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