KHMH: Gianni and Joshua’s Literacy Corner

In September, City Councilor Andrew Faber and a friend Gianni Taylor died in a tragic vehicular accident. Taylor was pregnant at the time, which made the loss even greater for her family. But Taylor’s mother, Melanie Eiley was moved by her daughter’s example. Before she passed away, Taylor spent a lot of time reading and attending to children. And that’s why she made a donation to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Pediatric Ward for a dedicated reading area. During a ceremony in the ward, KHMH officials dedicated the Gianni and Joshua Taylor Literacy Corner.

Melanie Eiley, Donated to Pediatric Ward of KHMH

Melanie Eiley

“It was a monetary donation. My daughter passed away in a traffic accident in September. At the children’s ward at the KHMH in her honor. She spent a lot of time with kids. Her love and dedication, reading and doing things with them. That’s what I wanted done.”

Gary Longsworth, CEO, KHMH

“What we have here is a confluence of things that started more than a year ago when we got some reading material. We didn’t know how to utilize it because we wanted it to last. So that succeeding groups of children coming through the ward. Unfortunately it came through an accident of Giannie dying and her mother coming through. Today we’re unveiling that literacy. Giannie and Joshua’s literacy corner at the pediatric ward. We want it to grow for the kids that come through.”

Melanie Eiley

“So it’s the perfect collaboration in your daughter’s memory? Yes. They decided to do that activity corner in her honor and Joshua, her unborn son. It’s so emotional but it’s a good thing and I’m looking forward to coming back often to make along with the management of KHMH.”