Alabama teen continues toy, coat drive in memory of late twin sister
By Michal Higdon
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — Seventeen-year-old Rose Kulungian, a high school senior, is continuing a toy and coat drive in memory of her late twin sister, Lilly Belle, distributing hundreds of items to those in need across Central Alabama.
The initiative began 17 years ago when Rose and Lilly were born. Despite their identical appearance, Lilly faced significant health challenges.
She was born at 3 lbs, 6 oz, was very ill and completely blind, according to the twins’ mother.
Her body could not make blood products which required a bone marrow transplant immediately. Hospital visits became frequent as Lilly was eventually diagnosed with Malignant Infantile Osteopetrosis, a rare genetic bone disorder.
During their many hospital stays, the Kulungian family began bringing toys to share with other families experiencing similar hardships, sparking the start of their toy drive.
“We kind of started this all together,” Rose said. “We would go out in the hospital and she was sick, so she would give them to all the other sick kids, and she would make friends with them in the hospitals and stuff. And I remember her favorite toys we gave out were Hot Wheels. She loved Hot Wheels.”
Although Lilly died at the age of five, Rose has continued the drive in her sister’s honor, expanding its reach across Central Alabama. This year, they have collected about 1,500 items including toys, coloring books, coats, and socks.
“My favorite is the stuffed animals that we have and we have so many and we have them in all different sizes,” Rose said.
The collected items, which also include blankets with prayer cards and Bible verses, will be distributed on Saturday. Rose and her team will load in a giant bus with an 18-wheeler in tow and deliver the items to various locations, including Jimmie Hale, Pathways, inner-city schools and parks.
“One of my favorite memories was whenever we were there, one of the men had gotten everybody all crowded around the gate after everything was like handed out, and they were all wrapped up in their blankets and we all started to pray together,” Rose said. “We were doing all this stuff for God. That’s the reason we do it all.”
This year, Rose is adding a personal touch by incorporating her hobby of baking. She plans to bake cookies to deliver alongside the other items and is seeking help from the community.
“While they’re waiting outside the gates of the Jimmie Hale Mission, they can have blankets, hats and all that. And then I wanted to add warm cookies into it so they can kind of get the Christmas feeling, too,” Rose said.
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