Donating to kids in the Hospital?

[Jaycey'smom]

I would love for my DD and my DN to pick out some gifts for kids that will be in a local Hospital on Christmas. I would love for them to actually deliver the gifts and meet the kids. I really think they BOTH need to know how lucky they are to have their health and how great it is to give to others. So does anyone work in a local(to your area) Hospital that could suggest how I could go about this? we usually get a name off a tree but I think it would be really great for them to meet the child so they know what a diffrence it will make. I thought about going to our childrens hospital but then I thought there are so many kids it might be better just to go to a local one.

 

[crazed'boutmaryP]

Contact the child life department in pediatrics, they should be able to help you or the foundation for the hospital(this is the fundraising arm of most hospitals). The hospital where I work has allowed children who donate for their birthday actually come to the pediatrics unit, but others may not allow it. Wonderful thought that will be appreciated.

 

[Stacerita]

I work in a children's hospital, and like previous poster suggested, I would go through the child life department. Our facility does a huge toy drive with the local HOG chapters. They do an annual Toy Ride for the kids. They all show up on their Harley's bringing toys. Plus the ones they can't fit on the bike I usually sent ahead of time or dropped off to the moving truck that delivers the bulk of the toys. Its a great thing. I love seeing those big burly men with teddy bears strapped to the back of their bikes.

 

[zoemurr]

however have you thought about taking them to an elderly home instead?

It sounds like kids in the hospital already get quite a lot, and I'm sure they'll receive from their parents as well.

On Christmas I take my kids to an independent living senior center at their dinner time. The ones that are there have no family to spend the day with. We dress up, walk around and hand out candy kisses, and talk for a few minutes. You'd be amazed at the response. We've had a lot of tears and hugs.

This will be our 6th year and we are looking forward to it. (My kids are 7/9)

It's wonderful that you want to share the true meaning of the season with your girls. Good luck!

 

[8 Ears]

I would like to encourage you to look into the Shriner's Hospital in Tampa. The Shriner's do wonderful work! My son is a patient in the Springfield,MA one but you asked about ones closer to you.

 

[friendofgusgus]

Child Life Specialist here...

Contact the Child Life or Volunteer departments at the hospital, but please don't be disappointed if you are turned away.

At this time of year, hospitals are often overrun with people wanting to help and they cannot all be accomodated. Also, any child who can be sent home for Christmas will be - the only children who usually stay the night are literally often too sick to accept visitors other than their families.

It is wonderful that you want the young people in your life to help but this year I would encourage you to turn back to a local community organization that needs toys, food, warm coats, etc. The need is great this year and many of these organizations are really suffering for donations. It might be too late to "adopt" a family but there may be individuals who registered too late or whose circumstances have changed since the application process began who could really use your help. If this is what you have done in the past, they are missing that past donation from you, too.

You will likely have more luck with a hospital at any other time of year.

 

[dijid]

While I think it's a great idea, our local children's hospital would not allow your kids to come in contact with the patients. We went to a birthday party where they asked for donations of new books to go to the "library" at teh Children's hospital. The mom was totally disappointed that the hospital barely allowed them to drop them off at the front desk, yet alone take them in and have her son see where his books were going. There's already a local bookstore that does book drives for Children's and they prefer to deal with them.

Maybe you can find a different charity that will be more accomodating of young children getting involved. My DD collcted craft supplies for Ronald McDonald House at her 8th b-day party and we did a nice drop off with those (our Girl Scout troop has volunteered there for several years so we knew what they needed). Perhaps deliver food to a food pantry, or gifts to a homeless shelter?

 

[Jaycey'smom]

however have you thought about taking them to an elderly home instead?

It sounds like kids in the hospital already get quite a lot, and I'm sure they'll receive from their parents as well.

On Christmas I take my kids to an independent living senior center at their dinner time. The ones that are there have no family to spend the day with. We dress up, walk around and hand out candy kisses, and talk for a few minutes. You'd be amazed at the response. We've had a lot of tears and hugs.

This will be our 6th year and we are looking forward to it. (My kids are 7/9)

It's wonderful that you want to share the true meaning of the season with your girls. Good luck!

No I had not thought of this THANKS! We will still do the "Secret Santa" but thought it would be a great eye opener for them to see kids their own age not be able to be home on Christmas. Not worried about gifts just about their health and family. I will call and if I get turned down I will take them to a elders home. My dad is 72 and I can't dream of him spending a holiday alone so that would be a learning experience also. Thanks again!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Also look into local shelters in your area. We have several that we are in contact with that have small children staying in them. Talk about having NOTHING on Christmas, they don't even have an address to call their own. Women's shelters also usually have young families living there. We also have some homes for children in our area, though most of them have teenage residents they still appreciate things.

But don't expect to be able to walk around and hand out gifts. Due to security measures, they often do not allow people to visit women's shelters.

Assisted living and nursing homes are also fantastic spots to bring Christmas joy to.

 

[tinan]

I would first like to commend you by thinking of the children in the hospital on Christmas. I'm a parent that has lost a teen to ovarian cancer that had spent endless amounts of nights in the hospital. I can tell you firsthand, that it was very sad to be on that floor and even more sad for those children that were not fortunate enough to have family there for them. I couldn't imagine my daughter being there without us being there to support her.

As some of the other people have posted, perhaps you would not be able to be in direct contact with the patients for either their own health, privacy, etc. Another idea you may be able to do that was very much appreciated, is ask about bringing in a dinner that would feed several. As simple as that sounds, it was some of the most memorable times for us as you get tired of fast food, cafeteria food, etc. We stayed in a hospital over an hour from our home and didn't have access to a kitchen.

 

[Jaycey'smom]

I would first like to commend you by thinking of the children in the hospital on Christmas. I'm a parent that has lost a teen to ovarian cancer that had spent endless amounts of nights in the hospital. I can tell you firsthand, that it was very sad to be on that floor and even more sad for those children that were not fortunate enough to have family there for them. I couldn't imagine my daughter being there without us being there to support her.

As some of the other people have posted, perhaps you would not be able to be in direct contact with the patients for either their own health, privacy, etc. Another idea you may be able to do that was very much appreciated, is ask about bringing in a dinner that would feed several. As simple as that sounds, it was some of the most memorable times for us as you get tired of fast food, cafeteria food, etc. We stayed in a hospital over an hour from our home and didn't have access to a kitchen.

Catered Food? I did not think the hospital would allow homemade food. My daughters school will only allow "store or restaurant" bought food so I would think the hospital would be the same. But this is a good idea also thank you!

 

[bradleysnana]

Another suggestion is to see if there is a Ronald McDonald house near the hospital. My Grandson's Sunday School class donated books for the parents, snack foods, quarters for the vending machine and toys for the siblings as well as toys for those in the hospital.

 

[melancholywings]

If you are a video gaming family there's also a charity called child's play that donates toys and puts gaming systems inside hospitals.

http://www.childsplaycharity.org

The hospitals set up wish lists and the toys either go to the kids or are kept in the hospital (such as the systems) for all the kids to enjoy.

 

[Kidnurse]

Catered Food? I did not think the hospital would allow homemade food. My daughters school will only allow "store or restaurant" bought food so I would think the hospital would be the same. But this is a good idea also thank you!

No they don't allow homemade food. It has to be sealed and wrapped if you bring something even. I thought of making cookies for the kids on our pediatrics floor where I work but management said no way.