Holiday Giving 2007

First of all, thank you for thinking of the children and families who are using Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong over the holiday season! Your generosity brightens their stays. We wish you could see the smiles!

We would kindly urge you to become acquainted with our rules and guidelines. They're important -- they help to protect our patients (their safety, their immune concerns, their need for privacy); they also help us make the most of your benevolence.

Of course, for your convenience, those who wish to make a monetary gift are welcome to make a secure online donation.

Again, thank you! You are making a difference, and we are indebted to you for your kind support.

Have a safe and happy holiday season,

The Child Life Department

Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong

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Guidelines: toys we cannot accept

• NO USED TOYS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Only new toys can be given (this is very important, as many of our patients are immune-compromised).
  • There are local organizations that can accept gently used items, though: learn about them, here.
• SPECIAL CONCERNS: (You can keep current on the latest Consumer Product Safety Commission's list of recalls, here.)
  • Plastic pellets (e.g., "Beanie animals") are allowed for children over 3 years old.
  • Please avoid toys with detachable parts, like button eyes, that can be removed and swallowed or inhaled.
  • Fire regulations forbid electrical, spark-producing, or friction-producing toys.
  • Toys should be sturdy.  Avoid toys that can break and leave sharp edges.  No toys should be made of glass or brittle plastic.
  • Avoid toys with sharp edges or parts that can be poked into eyes.  Avoid latex products (some children are allergic).
  • Painted toys should be non-toxic.
  • Toys should not have parts that can pinch fingers and toes or catch hair.
  • Any glue or paint in craft kits must be non-toxic.
  • Toys with numerous small parts which require close supervision are not appropriate.
  • “Humorous” medical toys and games cause fears and misconceptions and are inappropriate.
  • In order to respect the individual beliefs of our families, we cannot display or give out denominational or religious material.

How to arrange a drop off

Please let someone know that you will be dropping off a . To make arrangements, call the Pediatric Nursing Office at (585) 275-5794.

You will be asked to deliver toys to the Patient Discharge area located off Crittenden Boulevard during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

To allow time for us to work with parents to select and wrap gifts for patients, we need to receive donations by Friday, Dec. 14.

IMPORTANT tips to remember before you drop off items:

• Please attach your name, address, and a list of your donation, all addressed to "Child Life."
• Please do not wrap gifts. Safety regulations require even labeled gifts to be checked for gift appropriateness.  (Wrapping paper, ribbons, tape and tags are most welcome as a donation, of course!)
• Please be aware of our visiting policy. Because our patients are acutely ill, and because many families desire privacy, it is not possible to deliver gifts directly to the children. Still, many donors like to meet the children they are helping. To meet some of our kids, view our MIRACLE STORY videos, here.

How to contact someone to ask a question

For all general questions on holiday gift giving (toys, in-kind gifts), please call the Pediatric Nursing Office at (585) 275-5794.

To specifically make a monetary donation or to speak about purchasing an item from the hospital's WISH LIST, please call the Office of Development and Community Affairs, (585) 273-5948.

Toys we accept, toys we especially need

Thank you for your interest in donating a gift to a child in the hospital; pediatric patients need toys for play year round (especially in the slower summer months). For this reason, toys donated by community friends keep playrooms supplied throughout the year and help make special celebrations possible.

Toys are needed for all age groups (our patients range in age from just a few days to 19 years old). Each year, we find that we are especially in need of toys for infants and teenagers -- two age groups we serve, but don't receive as many donations for.

Toys and activities that encourage creativity and support development are preferred.

The children and adolescents come from diverse cultural backgrounds; please consider their diversity when making your selection.  Thank you for your support and consideration.

To help you think about your gift, we've provided ideas on a printable list (click here). Please, be sure you have read the donation guidelines, too -- we have some rules about what we can and cannot accept for safety purposes.

How to purchase a toy off our special needs WISH LIST

Want to give us something that we could put to really good use? Something we've been eyeing, something that'll improve the quality care we offer kids here?

We've tried to eliminate some of the guess work in your gift-giving by providing several truly great ideas!

Click here, and you'll see items listed for purchase. Some help to entertain patients or educate them about their disease or upcoming surgery; others help to keep them comfortable as they grow stronger; still, others help parents and siblings deal with a child or sibling's hospitalization.

Remember, if you can't afford the full item, you're welcome to give a donation earmarked toward part of the cost of that item (e.g., if you're interested in helping purchase an item that costs $1000, but you only can donate $300, you can still do this -- we'll apply the money you give and lower the remaining cost to $700.)

To arrange to purchase items or request more information, please call Karen Eisenberg at (585) 273-1462.