Wolfson Children’s Hospital receives more than 1,000 toys and $37,000 during 10th annual Christmas in July
The annual toy and donation drive ensures all children in the hospital have a reason to smile.
Jacksonville, FL -
From puzzles and Play-Doh to bubbles and baby dolls, toys now fill the shelves at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, ready to be distributed to patients fighting various health battles. The 10th annual Christmas in July Toy and Donation Drive, which was 100% online for the second year in a row, came to an end on Saturday, July 31.
Throughout the month of July, generous donors from Jacksonville and beyond gave 1,061 new toys, with a total estimated value of $16,810. Additionally, Christmas in July resulted in $12,959 in cash donations, thanks to new ways to fundraise and give online. The funds will be used to purchase toys for Wolfson Children’s patients.
Subaru of Jacksonville, the presenting sponsor of Christmas in July, contributed $25,000 to the annual drive and purchased thousands of additional dollars’ worth of toys.
The Child Life specialists and music therapist at Wolfson Children’s Hospital use toys and games to help normalize the hospital experience and teach kids and teens about their conditions and procedures they will undergo. Additionally, toys help babies and younger children continue to develop physically and cognitively on track during their hospital stays. Though Wolfson Children’s receives many toy donations during the winter holidays, the supply tends to dwindle during the summer months. Christmas in July helps restock the shelves.
Though there were no public in-person drop-offs at Wolfson Children’s Hospital this year due to COVID-19, people were once again able to purchase toys from the hospital’s Amazon wish list that were specifically curated by the Child Life and Music Therapy team. Additionally, members of the community could drop off new, unwrapped toys at Subaru of Jacksonville. Employees from the dealership took on the role of Santa’s helpers to deliver the toys to the Wolfson Children’s Child Life and Music Therapy team.
“This has been a tough year for all children, and even more so for those who required treatment in the hospital,” said Susan Kinnebrew, CCLS, associate director of Family Support Services at Wolfson Children’s. “These toys help bring some joy and encouragement to help children persevere through whatever health battles they are fighting.”
Michael D. Aubin, FACHE, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and interim chief philanthropy officer for the Baptist Health Foundation, said, “Our community continually steps up to support the patients here at Wolfson Children’s, and Christmas in July was no different in 2021. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed.”
Those who wish to donate toys year-round can do so by visiting the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Amazon wish list. To make a financial contribution to Wolfson Children’s Hospital throughout the year, which allows our Child Life and Music Therapy team to purchase the toys and musical instruments that are needed most, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com/give.