The holidays were merry and bright for hospitalized kids at UC Davis Children's Hospital, thanks to $21,125 that was raised during this year's Virtual Toy Drive. More than 100 people also donated 450 toys and gifts from the hospital's Amazon Wish List, totaling $10,212. These were delivered directly to the hospital.
"The community has once again surpassed my expectations with their generosity and giving. The response and support have been amazing," said Diana Sundberg, manager of the UC Davis Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. "We were able to provide toys for every child who needed to stay in the hospital over the holidays."
The toy drive provided free toys and gifts for every hospitalized child from infants to teens. Toys were also given to pediatric patients in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center's pediatric infusion center.
Additional funds will be used to support pediatric patients throughout 2022, providing toys, art supplies, music supplies, treasure box prizes and giveaways during their hospitalization as well as visits to the Comprehensive Cancer Center and MIND Institute. Children who celebrate their birthday in the hospital will also receive gifts, thanks to the generosity of donors.
"What we have found with the pandemic and the closing of our community play spaces is that we require a larger supply of play items to meet the needs of the children at their bedside," Sundberg said.
For those who did not have a chance to donate and would like to make a contribution, the UC Davis Child Life fund is still accepting donations. Donors can also still purchase items from Child Life's Amazon Wish List.
