BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Easter baskets, given in memory of a local boy, made spending the holiday in the hospital a little easier for nearly 10,000 children.

A Blair County man, Martin Garett, started “Easter for Eli” after losing his son to cancer just before his 4th birthday.

Volunteers sent 9,800 baskets, which were donated to the program, to 41 children’s hospitals in 17 states and Manitoba, Canada. They were also distributed to 14 Ronald Mcdonald houses.

The program had an initial goal of 5,000 baskets.