WELCOME to the Toy Drive Page!
"Toys R all over the place!"
Shelley is sitting among the donations. It looks something like a garage sale. This was the social worker's idea, (2009).
Christmas 2009 was a wonderful one for us. One reason is a little toy drive which began a few months earlier. Our original idea was to get the name of a little girl who would be in the hospital during Christmas and really mack her out. When the hosptial social worker told me about "The Toy Shop," I thought this was a better option.
On the deadline day, there was one doll pram, two dolls, (one with accessories,) a princess dress, some American Girl clothes, two music boxes, a 1/18-scale die cast Corvette and a frilly satin comforter with matching pillow sham were delivered.
The Toy Shop is a place where parents of children who are hospitalized during Christmas can choose a gift for their child at no cost. The social worker told me that many parents have been camped out at the hospital for an extended period of time and haven't had the energy or time to go gift shopping. Others unexpectedly have kids hospitalized via an accident or sudden illness while still others are under financial strain due to mounting hospital bills. I've spent Easter in the hospital. It can be a really lonely time.
The social worker told me that due to the economy, donations were less than usual this year. As I was putting together our donations, I prayed that God would quicken the hearts of others to get involved. When I finally met the social worker in person, (a young lady wearing reindeer antlers) I asked how their inventory was. She said it was adequate.
There are, of course, numerous organizations to donate to and most are highly worthy causes. It can also be said that there are far greater needs in our community. However, a kid who is too ill to go home and help decorate the tree or even see the house dressed up in lights doesn't think about other organizations. All he or she knows is that they are to some degree, isolated from the celebration. I think this is a good cause to get behind.
It is my observation that in the world of donating toys, the focus is on younger children. Many kids hospitalized at Mary Bridge are teenagers who might appreciate a new Diskman, a board game or a craft kit, one of those color-in velvetized posters or some Sculpy.
"But what do I buy?"
I think the important thing is to think back to your own childhood. What was your favorite toy? What did you enjoy when you were sick in bed? What helped bring you comfort during difficult times?
I myself was hospitalized three times during my childhood. My best memory of that time was when the husband of a lady I roomed with would bring me milk shakes from McDonalds when he bought something there for his wife. I suspect he'll never know the impact that had on someone who was lonely and having trouble eating.
Here's a few other ideas for older children
Kaleidoscopes
battery-powered electronics
Fast-food gift cards so Mom can go get him or her a burrito or hamburger
Art supplies
A beautiful throw blanket
Pillow headphones
Beanie Babies
An Oragami kit
Novelty slippers
DVDs
A Light-up acrylic drinking mug
Glow necklaces
large-scale Die-Cast model cars
Puzzle/word game books
Coffee Table-type theme books such as books on the history of Baseball or a book about cats.
(Both die-cast and great gift books are available at Costco beginning in September through the Christmas season.)
Legos
Walkie-talkies. (Great for kids with visiting siblings)
For younger kids
Magnadoodle
Preschool music boxes
Baby dolls
flashlights designed for young children
costume clothing that can be worn in bed
preschool "CD players." (These usually have their own pretend CDs, very safe for young children.)
Items that light up and change color. (Older kids like these too. You can find hearts, eggs, stars and flameless battery candles that change colors)
books with those little sound-effect pads built in
Plastic musical snow globes. (I found them at Lowes.)
A smal keyboard with effects
Some of these gifts will please older and younger children alike.
Donations must be new. They should not require being pluged in to the wall and there shouldn't be anything made of glass or pottery.
Home-made items are welcome, as long as they are not exposed to pet hair.
A particular doll I like is "The Unbelievablly Soft Baby." which is a realistic, cuddly doll filled with air rather than stuffing. Some children unergoing chemo or the like may have difficulty with toys stuffed with stuffing due to a compromised immune system. These dolls are availabe at Toys R Us for around $22.
This next season, we want to include my favorite ministry, The Family Renewal Shelter. This is a Christian battered women's ministry that saved my life back in 1992. There are always a few children in the shelter during Christmas. Some families that come there have lost everything.