The University of Mississippi Medical Center
12/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/02/2024 11:29
Children’s of Mississippi Holiday Giving Drive is Dec. 18-20
Children's of Mississippi Holiday Giving Drive is Dec. 18-20
Published on Monday, December 2, 2024
By: Annie Oeth, [email protected]
Photos By: Melanie Thortis/UMMC Photography
The spirit of giving shines brightly during the holiday season, when Children's of Mississippi supporters donate toys and other items from the children's hospital's wish list.
In-kind donations can be brought to the annual Holiday Giving Drive, set for 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 18-20 at the Kathy and Joe Sanderson Tower at Children's of Mississippi on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus. Online gifts from Children's of Mississippi's Amazon and Walmart wish lists can be made anytime during the year. Links to both are available on UMMC's in-kind giving webpage.
"Every year, Mississippians generously contribute to ensure our patients receive holiday surprises," said Jen Hospodor, senior director of strategic partnerships at UMMC. "The donations not only brighten the season for our patients but also help us provide incentives and surprises throughout the year."
The wish lists include a variety of items such as toys for all ages, coloring books and activities for older children. Essential items like pajamas, fleece loungewear and slippers are also needed, as patients may require hospital care suddenly, leaving families with little time to bring personal items.
Gift ideas can range from rattles, teethers and crib mobiles for infants to small art kits, coloring books and crayons, dolls, action figures and toy cars for children ages 3-12. Teenage patients would appreciate individual bottles of nail polish, phone charges, ear buds and adult coloring books and colored pencils.
Healthy snacks for patients and their families during hospital stays are also welcome. Items such as soup, pudding, jerky, granola and popcorn can be donated online or through the Adopt-A-Floor program.
Cara Williams, child life manager at Children's of Mississippi, said the generosity of the state's residents brings comfort and joy to patients and their families all year.
"These gifts of toys, clothing, personal care items and snacks help provide a sense of normalcy for families all year," she said.
The toys given during the Christmas season ensure that surprises are on hand for patients spending their birthdays in the hospital and to encourage patients to achieve medical and developmental milestones.
Giving to Children's of Mississippi is a heartwarming way to make a difference for patients around the state but keep a few rules in mind when participating in in-person giving.
Items that cannot be accepted include:
- Wrapped gifts and goodie bags, as contents must be visible for suitability.
- Used items of any kind due to infection control policies.
- Religious items.
- Toy weapons and violent video games or movies.
- Gift cards.
- Larger toys like kitchen sets that won't fit well in hospital rooms and storage areas.
- Bikes, scooters, pogo sticks and other riding toys that may not be suitable for ill or injured children.
- Donors can choose items from the wish lists and either purchase them online or drop them off in person, Hospodor said.
Donations to these funds enable child life and social work teams to purchase necessary items for patients and families, such as medications not covered by insurance, car seats and meal tickets. Visit umc.edu/givenow and select a fund from the designation menu.