HOWELL – A 21-year-old local Rutgers University student is on a campaign to bring “Fun to Fighters” as he gives joy to children battling illnesses in hospitals throughout New Jersey.
Veer Yadav, who grew up in Howell and graduated from Freehold High School in 2021, has known he wanted to be a doctor from an early age. When he was 16 years old, Yadav began volunteering at CentraState Medical Center in the emergency room and neurological department.
“I figured this would give me an opportunity to get exposure in the medical field and also meet people,” said Yadav. “The emergency room at the hospital only has a small pediatric area, but I was touched by the children I met there.”
As he paid personal witness to the struggles of children suffering from illnesses, Yadav decided he wanted to make a difference. He continues to believe that every child deserves a joyful and memorable experience. What better way to make them happy than to provide them with toys that would bring smiles to their faces?
“Every child should be able to enjoy their childhood,” Yadav expressed passionately. “If there’s something I can do to make their suffering less, or even put a smile on their face for even five minutes, it would be worth it for me.”
A true Good Samaritan with limited funds as a student, Yadav reached out to the community and began soliciting funds after describing his intent. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Yadav’s determination never wavered. He utilized social media, word of mouth, and flyers around town to raise awareness and garner support for his cause.
Through Venmo donations and other means, Veer collected funds and brand new toys, ensuring that every child received a moment of happiness during their hospital stay.
“Tara McClung & Ashley McClung of Freehold Township were especially helpful in getting the word out,” Yadav shared. “They also collected many toys from families in Monmouth County for distribution.”
During the first year, Yadav collected $350-$400 between cash and toy donations. Some of the toys stay at the hospital for use there. Others are gifted to children to bring home with them.
The name “Fun for Fighters” encapsulates Yadav’s belief that the children battling illnesses are the real superheroes, and the toys they receive are the fun and joy they deserve. When Yadav visits children to deliver gifts, he always makes sure to wear a superhero shirt in their honor.
While Yadav doesn’t always meet the children who receive the organization’s gifts, he recalled a time when he experienced the true rewards of his work.
“I came in and was able to give a child that was in the hospital a remote control car,” said Yadav. “His parents had gone out to lunch. The boy was kindergarten age and he started crying and asked me if I was Santa Claus.”
The memory brought a smile to the college student’s face, who plans to be the first doctor in his family. A first generation American, Yadav credits his parents for instilling strong values in him – and also making sure he keeps up with his studies.
Yadav maintains a 4.0 average at Rutgers and also works at Brandywine Senior Living in Colts Neck, where he’s had the opportunity to connect with a geriatrics population. Meanwhile, he’s also found the time to expand “Fun for Fighters” to other hospitals throughout New Jersey.
Most recently, Yadav delivered toys to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, and has also brought joy to children in Newton Medical Center in Sussex County. Fun for Fighters’ donations to Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick came with great accolades.
“On behalf of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at RWJBarnabas, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for Veer Yadav and his “Fun for Fighters” toy drive,” wrote Sarah Devlin, Senior Child Life Specialist. “Veer contacted me in order to ascertain our particular needs and to truly understand how to best provide support for our families. He and his group used our Amazon wish list in order to help us meet the requests of our patients and provide a little bit of fun during their hospitalization. They were a pleasure to work with.“
Even more impressive was an invitation from CentraState’s CEO Tom Scott, who invited Yadav to speak at a cocktail reception in October 2022.
While many toy drives focus just around the Christmas holiday season, Fun for Fighters is a year long venture. Those interested in donating can contact Yadav at veeryadavvvv@gmail.com.
“There is no better gift than seeing the children’s happy reactions seeing the gifts they have gotten,” summed up Yadav. “And how what the organization does truly does make a difference in lives of others.”
