Thank you for your interest in donating toys, games and supplies to the Child Life Department at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital!
Play is an important part of the healing process and helps children cope with the stress and challenges of hospitalization. Your donations to the Child Life department will be given to patients and family members during their hospital visit to provide comfort, offer distractions and to normalize the hospital setting.
With patient health & safety being our top priority, our donation safety guidelines should be reviewed prior to scheduling your donation as they allow us to ensure the highest level of quality and safety for our patients.
Toy Donation Safety Guidelines
In order to maintain a safe environment for our patients and families, all donations must follow these guidelines:
- All donations must be brand new, odor-free, in original packaging and purchased within the last 6 months.
- We cannot accept the following:
- Used (including gently used) toys or clothing
- Toys or stuffed animals that have been exposed to smoke
- Collector items that have been gathered and stored over a significant period of time (sports cards, Beanie Babies, etc.)
- Handmade get-well cards, greeting cards and holiday cards
- Items containing latex (balloons, rubber balls, art supplies, etc.)
- Violent themed items (items containing guns, knives, swords, blood, violence, etc.)
- Racially and/or culturally insensitive items
- Gift wrapped items (items will be unwrapped prior to being given to patients)
- Religious themed items or messages
- New or used medical supplies or equipment
- Food, candy, beverages, etc.
Our Most In Demand Items
Our most needed items are updated quarterly by the child life staff as the needs of our patient population vary throughout the year.
- Infant Toys
- Action Figures
- Cars and Trucks
For a complete list of suggested donation items, please see our toy donation wish list.
You can also access our Child Life Amazon wish list online here.
Sewn, Knitted & Crocheted Handmade Items
The health and safety for our patients and families is our top priority. All handmade cloth donations must follow the guidelines below.
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- All sewing pins and needles must be removed prior to donating.
- Do not pin notes, logos, etc. to the items. Items with pins will not be given to patients.
- Items that have a strong odor such as smoke, moth balls, perfumes or pet hair cannot not be given to patients.
- All accessories must be sewn on the item as part of the original design (eyes, nose, flowers, decorative items, etc.). Plastic buttons and eyes that are sewn on are a choking hazard should they become detached, and cannot be given to patients
- Please do not individually wrap or bag any items.
- Pre-wash the material of any handmade cloth items.
- Avoid working on your project when you are ill.
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- Blankets, including fleece, crocheted, knitted and quilted. Common blanket sizes are:
- 48 inches x 48 inches
- 64 inches x 53 inches
- 66 inches x 90 inches
- Standard pillowcases (18 inches x 10 inches)
- Post-op positioning pillows (19 inches x 8 inches)
- Faceless dolls representing all skin colors (tan, black, brown, etc.)
- Lovies: A blanket with a small animal head that is easy to grip
- Crocheted cctopus: Download a pattern
- Tie-waist pajama bottoms in all sizes, especially teen/young adult: Download a pattern
- Blankets, including fleece, crocheted, knitted and quilted. Common blanket sizes are:
Schedule a Donation Drop-Off
Donations must be scheduled prior to drop-off. To schedule an appointment, please click on the link below. If you experience any issues while attempting to schedule an appointment for donation drop-off, please call the Child Life team at 727-767-4323.
You can also mail items to:
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
501 6th Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
If you have additional questions regarding toy donations, please complete the form below and a member of our team will contact you.
Frequently Asked Questions
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For infection control reasons, we are unable to accept any used items.
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For infection control, safety and confidentiality reasons, donors are not able to visit with or distribute gifts directly to patients.
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Sure! A toy drive can be hosted virtually or in person. We encourage donors to focus on giving through our online Child Life Amazon Wish List or by collecting brand new items for our patients and families from our printable Toy Donation Wish List.
If you intend to use the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital logo to promote your toy drive, please request use of the hospital logo here.
All Children's Foundation Contact Us
Give us a call
Johns Hopkins All Children's Foundation
all we do. all for kids.
500 Seventh Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701P 727-767-4199
E [email protected]