Cincinnati Children's isn't going to let the coronavirus play Grinch this upcoming holiday season. The hospital is asking people who would normally drop off toys for patients to choose from pre-made gift packages."We're not able to accept in-person donations or in-person drop-offs," explains Sarah Coyle, development officer with Cincinnati Children's. "The Child Life team has put together these holiday bundles so they can then purchase the items that they need to make sure that every kid gets a fair, holiday special gift this year."
Each year, the hospital uses toy donations from the public to ensure every patient stuck in the hospital over the holidays gets something special. That amounts to thousands of toys.
"These kids are going through the unthinkable," she adds. "Especially in the world we're living in today and the uncertainty of everything, we just need to make their stay as special as we can despite what they're going through."
Would-be donors can select from age-specific gift bundles starting at $25. The hospital also has an Amazon Wish List where you can purchase items to be sent directly to the hospital team assembling the baskets.
This article was first published on Oct. 30, 2020.