Toy and gift donations
Toy Recall Update:
Due to many recent toy recall announcements, we ask that donors please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) Web site for toy recalls before purchasing a toy for donation. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.
Thank you for wanting to donate toys and gifts to Children's Memorial Hospital. Our patients, families and staff appreciate your support and thank you for your generosity. We believe that our patients' well-being involves much more than medical treatment, and we rely on the contributions of generous individuals to help make children's hospitalization more comfortable, interesting and therapeutic. Here are ways you can help:
Partners with Parents
A child's illness can devastate a family's finances. Your donation of gift certificates to local stores can help parents of very limited means provide a holiday celebration for their families. Donated gift certificates are distributed to selected families by hospital staff. You may purchase gift certificates from moderately priced, easily accessible toy, clothing and food stores and send them to:
Susan Ruohonen (773) 880-3273
Children's Memorial Hospital, Box 31
2300 Children's Plaza
Chicago IL 60614
Or you can make a financial contribution here to Partners with Parents. Please indicate your contribution is for Partners with Parents.
Toys for patients
Toys, games, music, DVDs, arts and crafts all help make a child's stay in the hospital brighter. You may shop from our wish list for items that are especially popular and needed. Please note that donated items must be new, and should not be wrapped so they may be easily distributed to the children.
You may drop off or mail your toy donations. Please note there is no deadline for holiday toy donations, as the toys we receive in December help us throughout the entire year. Toys may be brought to the lobby of Children's Memorial Hospital seven days a week between 8 am and 8 pm. During December, please consider Friday - Monday delivery, when our lobby is less congested. You may use the driveway entrance on Fullerton Avenue for easy access. Donations may also be mailed to Teri Foster/2300 Children's Plaza, #31/Chicago, IL 60614.
The Emergency Fund
The Emergency Fund provides assistance to families who are experiencing extreme financial hardship due to their child's illness. The Emergency Fund helps with clothing, utilities, transportation cost and other essentials. Funds are carefully allocated with a full evaluation of the family's needs on a case-by-case basis. Support for families during their time of need contributes greatly to the health and well-being of the child who is ill. You can make a financial contribution here. Please indicate your contribution is for the Emergency Fund . Or you may mail your contribution to:
Social Work Manager, Emergency Fund
Children's Memorial Hospital, Box 130
2300 Children's Plaza/Chicago, IL 60614.
Kohl's House
Kohl's House is a home-away-from-home for transplant patients and their families while in treatment at Children's Memorial, and needs non-perishable food items, travel size toiletries, non-aerosol cleaning products, coupons for casual restaurants, pizza, and grocery stores within walking distance of Children's Memorial, movie rental coupons, moderately priced department store gift coupons, and magazine subscriptions. For more information, including volunteer opportunities at Kohl's House, call Michelle Mascaro at 773.975.8881.
Do you have more questions about donations? Read our frequently asked questions.