One of the radio stations I listen to is currently hosting "Radiothon," a fundraiser for UNM Children's hospital. The webpage for this program states that most of the money raised goes to purchase medical equipment. Nothing wrong with that. That part is wonderful.
Radiothon and many other children's hospital charity PSAs annoy me because they encourage the public to donate "stuff" or money to buy "stuff" to give to children in hospital. This "stuff" is almost always toys, specifically stuffed animals. Kids in hospital do not need stuffed animals. I was in hospital for a few weeks as a 13-year-old, and I think I received about 7 stuffed animals during that time frame. That's approximately one animal every two or three days. Way too many animals.
If you are considering donating to one of these "stuff" charities or starting one as a project for girl scouts, I urge you to reconsider. Here's a list of things that children's hospitals (and children in hospital) need and do not need.
NEED:
1. New clothing like pajamas, sweats, bathrobes, and socks. Hospital gowns usually do not fit children well. They are also uncomfortable and too light to wear alone. Many people are admitted to hospital through emergency rooms, so they do not bring clothes with them. Parents often wish to stay with their children while they are in hospital, so it is difficult for them to leave and get clothing.
2. Bedclothes like blankets, pillowcases, and sleeping bags. Most hospital blankets are rather unpleasant colors and textures. Having higher quality and more fun bedclothes can comfort children who are on bedrest and cannot leave their rooms.
3. Books, CDs, movies, magazines, and video games. These items are easily shared between children without getting broken or losing pieces (one of the main hazards of toys in public spaces). They are also calm (don't cause undue exertion) and don't carry too many germs as the covers can be easily sanitized.
4. Boom boxes, stereos, computers, TVs, gaming systems, and DVD players. Generally the same reasons as above.
5. Batteries. For portable stereos, etc.
6. Snacks like fresh fruit, rice krispy treats, capri sun juice bags, and sugarless chewing gum. Many children in hospital are on specialized diets, but these things are ok with most diets. Kids like them too. Hospital food is not that good.
7. Toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo. Nurses are the medication nazis, but they are not the personal hygiene nazis (they also don't really care if you stay up until 3 in the morning watching Spider-Man). Having fun toiletries can help kids stay up to date with their hygiene routines even in unfamiliar places. Scented hand sanitizer is great too; it encourages kids to kill germs. Hospital hanitizer is basically pure rubbing alcohol that smells and stings.
8. Craft supplies like paper, glue, tape, crayons, markers, stickers, beads, etc. They are entertaining, encourage brainwork and creativity, and are disposable to reduce clutter and germ sharing.
9. People to hang out with. In particular, 8 to 14 year old girls like to hang out with other tween and teen girls. It is great if these people have age appropriate conversation starters that do not have to do with why the child is in hospital. "Nice hat," is not necessarily a great way to get on with a child with cancer. "Have you seen the Michael Bolton/Jack Sparrow music video?" usually is a better bet for a young teen. People who sing/play music or can provide other entertainment like craft tutorials are a bonus.
DO NOT NEED:
1. Stuffed animals. Kids already have stuffed animals. They have favorites. These favorites are usually already at the hospital with the kids. They do not need more animals. Soft toys carry germs and allergens that are difficult to get rid of. Some children with breathing problems are not allowed to have stuffed animals because of this. When someone comes to hospital passing out animals, these children are left out.
2. Toys with multiple small parts like complex board games and jigsaw puzzles. The children who are mature enough to play with these usually just end up disappointed that there are pieces missing.
3. Things divided into gendered categories. This one is a little harder to explain. Sometimes people come to hospital with stuff to give out (for example, stuffed animals), and they have two bags: one for girls and one for boys. The girls bag has pink stuff, and the boys bag has blue stuff. Or someone will come by with Barbie paraphernalia and Hot Wheels. Kids in hospital are already put down and categorized so much; they do not need to have gender stereotypes shoved at them too. It's better to bring some feminine options, some masculine options, and some gender neutral options (or only gender neutral options) and let it be a free for all.
4. Candy, homemade foods (especially baked goods), and things that need refrigeration. These items usually do not comply with hospital diets, and their ingredients and freshness can be difficult to ascertain. There are not usually refrigerators that patients can easily use.
5. Sympathy. There's a fine line between care and going too far. Don't go too far. It is not appreciated.
Radiothon and many other children's hospital charity PSAs annoy me because they encourage the public to donate "stuff" or money to buy "stuff" to give to children in hospital. This "stuff" is almost always toys, specifically stuffed animals. Kids in hospital do not need stuffed animals. I was in hospital for a few weeks as a 13-year-old, and I think I received about 7 stuffed animals during that time frame. That's approximately one animal every two or three days. Way too many animals.
If you are considering donating to one of these "stuff" charities or starting one as a project for girl scouts, I urge you to reconsider. Here's a list of things that children's hospitals (and children in hospital) need and do not need.
NEED:
1. New clothing like pajamas, sweats, bathrobes, and socks. Hospital gowns usually do not fit children well. They are also uncomfortable and too light to wear alone. Many people are admitted to hospital through emergency rooms, so they do not bring clothes with them. Parents often wish to stay with their children while they are in hospital, so it is difficult for them to leave and get clothing.
2. Bedclothes like blankets, pillowcases, and sleeping bags. Most hospital blankets are rather unpleasant colors and textures. Having higher quality and more fun bedclothes can comfort children who are on bedrest and cannot leave their rooms.
3. Books, CDs, movies, magazines, and video games. These items are easily shared between children without getting broken or losing pieces (one of the main hazards of toys in public spaces). They are also calm (don't cause undue exertion) and don't carry too many germs as the covers can be easily sanitized.
4. Boom boxes, stereos, computers, TVs, gaming systems, and DVD players. Generally the same reasons as above.
5. Batteries. For portable stereos, etc.
6. Snacks like fresh fruit, rice krispy treats, capri sun juice bags, and sugarless chewing gum. Many children in hospital are on specialized diets, but these things are ok with most diets. Kids like them too. Hospital food is not that good.
7. Toiletries like toothpaste and shampoo. Nurses are the medication nazis, but they are not the personal hygiene nazis (they also don't really care if you stay up until 3 in the morning watching Spider-Man). Having fun toiletries can help kids stay up to date with their hygiene routines even in unfamiliar places. Scented hand sanitizer is great too; it encourages kids to kill germs. Hospital hanitizer is basically pure rubbing alcohol that smells and stings.
8. Craft supplies like paper, glue, tape, crayons, markers, stickers, beads, etc. They are entertaining, encourage brainwork and creativity, and are disposable to reduce clutter and germ sharing.
9. People to hang out with. In particular, 8 to 14 year old girls like to hang out with other tween and teen girls. It is great if these people have age appropriate conversation starters that do not have to do with why the child is in hospital. "Nice hat," is not necessarily a great way to get on with a child with cancer. "Have you seen the Michael Bolton/Jack Sparrow music video?" usually is a better bet for a young teen. People who sing/play music or can provide other entertainment like craft tutorials are a bonus.
DO NOT NEED:
1. Stuffed animals. Kids already have stuffed animals. They have favorites. These favorites are usually already at the hospital with the kids. They do not need more animals. Soft toys carry germs and allergens that are difficult to get rid of. Some children with breathing problems are not allowed to have stuffed animals because of this. When someone comes to hospital passing out animals, these children are left out.
2. Toys with multiple small parts like complex board games and jigsaw puzzles. The children who are mature enough to play with these usually just end up disappointed that there are pieces missing.
3. Things divided into gendered categories. This one is a little harder to explain. Sometimes people come to hospital with stuff to give out (for example, stuffed animals), and they have two bags: one for girls and one for boys. The girls bag has pink stuff, and the boys bag has blue stuff. Or someone will come by with Barbie paraphernalia and Hot Wheels. Kids in hospital are already put down and categorized so much; they do not need to have gender stereotypes shoved at them too. It's better to bring some feminine options, some masculine options, and some gender neutral options (or only gender neutral options) and let it be a free for all.
4. Candy, homemade foods (especially baked goods), and things that need refrigeration. These items usually do not comply with hospital diets, and their ingredients and freshness can be difficult to ascertain. There are not usually refrigerators that patients can easily use.
5. Sympathy. There's a fine line between care and going too far. Don't go too far. It is not appreciated.
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