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How you can help, contact the UMHC Child Life Program at 410-328-1241.
We can only help children and families at holiday time because of the kindness of individuals like you. Any hospitalization can be stressful, but spending a holiday in the hospital can be very upsetting for children and families. Normal family holiday traditions, celebrations with family and friends, holiday shopping, and the joy of the season can be overshadowed by a child's illness.
The Child Life team spends much of December carefully selecting gifts for children that match their skills and interest. Children wake up on Christmas morning to find presents and stockings on their beds.
You and your group can help by following these guidelines:
Visiting Policy
Because our children are acutely ill, we need to screen all donor groups before determining if scheduling a gift delivery, special visit, or party is appropriate. Thank you for understanding. Contact Child Life at 410-328-1241 if you are interested in bringing a group to visit &/or deliver gifts. See our Helpful Hints for Visitors for more information.
Toys
Only new toys are used at Christmas. Please plan to deliver them by December 20th to allow our team time to make the personalized selections. See our Toy Safety Guidelines for more information.
Delivery
Deliver donations to the Child Life office, preferably on a weekday. Call the office for specific information: 410-328-1241.
Stuffed Animals
We can only accept new stuffed animals because of our many children with asthma and other life-threatening conditions. Smoky, musty, or even slightly soiled ones cannot be used -- we must discard them.
Decorations
Holiday decorations are used throughout the Hospital for Children. Please check with us to see what is needed. No glitter please.
Gift Wrapping
Please do not wrap gifts. Even if you were to label the gifts, safety regulations require that they be checked for appropriateness. Please organize gifts/donation by gender and age group for easier distribution.
Stockings
Small stockings filled with two or three small, safe toys and a few commercially wrapped candies are excellent for our clinic populations. Medium - large size stockings are also needed for children's gifts on Christmas morning. Stocking stuffer ideas include party packs of playdoh, small bubble containers, yoyo's, crayons/markers, coloring books, activity books, deck of cards, chapstick, nail polish, koosh balls, small puzzles, rattles, small hand lotion, small mirrors, hair accessories and matchbox cars.
Edible Gifts
All edible goodies must be commercially made and wrapped. Lollipops and small candy canes are welcome. We cannot accept homemade foods. Holiday placemats and party favors are appreciated. Please do not use straight pins, toothpicks, sharp or unsafe items in tray favors.
Toys are needed for all age groups. Our children range in age from a few hours old to 20 years old. Items that are not used for the holidays will be saved for birthdays or for use in the activity rooms. Below is a list of suggested toys and "stocking stuffers".
| Teenagers | |
|---|---|
| Teen magazines | Yo-yo |
| Small packages of Model Magic | Snap model cars |
| Small craft kits | Nail polish & remover |
| CD singles or best of compilations | Deck of Cards & UNO |
| Blank journals or sketch books | New Release DVD's (G,PG,PG-13) |
| Plastic mazes & puzzle games | Bead kits |
| Bath & Body Shop lotions, shower gels, creams |
Mad Libs |
| Gum (sugarless & regular) | Movie passes |
| Blank cassette tapes | Joke books |
| Plain white T-shirts (to decorate) | Compact mirrors |
| Travel toiletry bags | Small picture frames |
| Perfume & aftershave samples | watches w/ alarms |
| Travel size and regular size Etch-A-Sketches, Sorry, Simon, games, etc…. (also the keychain versions are popular) | |
| Small handheld electronic games (Battleship, Connect Four, Yahtzee, etc..) | |
| Markers/colored pencils/activity books/crossword books/word search books | |
| In General | |
|---|---|
| Colored tissue paper | |
| Wrapping paper & gift bags – holiday, birthday, and generic | |
|
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