A little over two years ago, Nicole Polarek and her family bid farewell to their beloved pancake restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois. They joined the bustling crowd on the street to witness the city's Independence Day parade. Little did they know that within moments, a gunman would open fire from a nearby rooftop directly into the crowd in front of them. This tragic attack claimed seven lives and left dozens injured. Though Polarek, her husband, and their three children managed to escape physically unharmed, their lives were forever altered.

Paying It Forward

When the Green Bay woman learned about Monday's shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, where three people lost their lives including the young shooter and several were injured, she felt it was time to repay the kindness that had been shown to her family. "It's challenging for people to know how to react. What to feel, what to say, and what to do. I decided to figure out the 'what,'" Polarek said, as "even though I don't know these people personally, I understand their pain."Polarek is spearheading a toy drive, collecting items that she believes will bring comfort and distraction to kids and teens in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event. As of Wednesday afternoon, she informed the Journal Sentinel that more than 400 toys from her wish list had been purchased, and the number was continuously rising.The wish list encompasses Squishmallows and other soft stuffed animals, fidget toys, art supplies, and Play-Doh, along with weighted blankets and pillows. These are similar to the items her children received from a makeshift community resource center following the Highland Park shooting. The toys made the children feel special and assisted her and her husband in parenting during a difficult time.Polarek initially started the drive informally by texting friends who in turn informed others. As news of the drive spread, she reached out to Green Bay businesses that could store the toys in case there were too many for her to handle on her own. Eventually, she plans to transport them to the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, where the staff will distribute them to families affected by the Abundant Life shooting. Her aim is to require a large truck to accommodate all the donations.When Polarek first came up with the idea, she believed that whether it was two toys or 200 that she could place in the hands of grieving children, it would signify that the people of Green Bay were standing by the people of Madison. The response she has received so far has demonstrated that "people have a great capacity for empathy, love, and generosity," she said.Today, her family is doing well thanks to the support of their community, including a therapist who specializes in trauma. Nevertheless, "we will all be changed forever," she added."When the headlines fade - which they inevitably will - what remains is a long journey for those kids, teachers, and students," Polarek said. "I understand that the broader community's response matters."How to HelpPeople can access Polarek's wish list by visiting target.com/gift-registry/gift/madison-survivors-support-drive and choosing the option to ship the toys directly to her. Target gift cards can also be purchased.Separate places to donate include:More: Fundraisers set up to assist those affected by the shooting at Abundant Life Christian SchoolMore: At vigils across Madison, a grieving city struggles to make sense of the shooting tragedyMadeline Heim is a Report for America corps reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. You can reach her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com.