Companies and Community Provide Patients Toys and Gifts

We are grateful every year for the support of area businesses, foundations and community organizations that provide toys and monetary donations. These items and support help children in our hospital enjoy the holidays, celebrate reaching treatment goals and provide necessary distraction before, during and after difficult procedures. In 2020 many companies shifted to electronic or monetary options due to the pandemic. 

Zurich Insurance North America employees typically sponsor our hospital’s annual holiday party for families and patients. This year they are providing e-giftcards to patients and some of our families in need. In another example, Elves for Santa, who makes patient rooms bright this time of year by delivering toys, instead provided toys and a monetary donation to help us support those impacted by COVID-19.

Our goal during the holiday season is that every child who comes to our hospital is able to enjoy a toy or special gift. We’re thankful to the many private and business donations which make this possible. This year our manufacturing neighbors at Freedman Seating Company were among the businesses providing helpful donations. The company, which makes seating products for buses, trains and commercial applications, collected 200 toys and educational supplies from employees. Several of their suppliers in the Chicagoland area also joined in the donation.

As is often the case, a company spokesman said that several employees have children who have received care and services at Shriners Hospitals in orthopaedics, plastic surgery or rehabilitation services. The daughter of the Freedman Seating purchasing manager is a patient of spine surgeon Purnendu Gupta, M.D. Josslen has a rare disease known as Klippel Feil syndrome which affects the development of bones in the neck and causes scoliosis.

Our hospital also offers books for children to read and take home. We’re grateful to several Usborne Books representatives who together donated $2500 worth of family-friendly reading materials to our hospital this year. And a special thank you goes to new partners who continue to reach out to support our hospital’s commitment to children each year through in-kind donations. Aaron’s Full of Flavor BBQ Foundation was one of the many new community connections who provided a helpful toy donation.

Donations coordinator Mary McCauley said donations must meet hospital guidelines, including no latex or rubber items. It is also beneficial if item donations include toys and games appropriate for a variety of ages.