Wolfson Children’s Hospital Christmas In July Toy and Donation Drive

Bring joy, healing to Wolfson Children’s Hospital patients of all ages with just a few clicks during VIRTUAL Christmas in July

Toy and financial donations help infants, kids and teens cope with hospitalization and learn about their treatments

Christmas in July is an annual toy and donation drive supporting the patients of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. This year’s event is 100% online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing those who wish to give to donate funds or shop for toys from an Amazon wish list curated by Child Life specialists.

For more information or to give online, visit ChristmasJuly.com.

Background:

Toys and kids just go together, and when pediatric patients are hospitalized, toys take on even more importance. Playtime is a crucial part of how children develop physically, cognitively, and emotionally. They use toys and play to process their experiences, and in the hospital, toys help children cope and feel a sense of normalcy.

Wolfson Children’s Hospital staffs Child Life specialists who are trained to help children cope in the hospital, develop normally while hospitalized and educate them about their treatment in age-appropriate ways. Child Life specialists use toys as tools, like showing a young child how blood draws work on a teddy bear or preparing them for the sights and sounds of an MRI using toy tunnels.

Wolfson Children’s receives many toy donations around the holidays, but by July, toy closets begin looking bare again. Christmas in July began as a toy and donation drive to restock toys midyear when they typically run low, giving Child Life specialists the tools they need to support, comfort and care for their patients of all ages.

Interview Opportunities:

Zoom interviews with Child Life specialists explaining…

• How toys can help explain medical procedures to children and ease anxiety
• The toys child life specialists use to help babies develop on pace while hospitalized
• What hospitalized teens turn to for enjoyment and coping while in the hospital, like art supplies and musical instruments
• How toys and craft supplies are used to support pediatric behavioral health patients