Group Giving

Hospitalization is tough at any age, but it’s especially difficult for children. Many of our patients have difficult diagnoses that require complex care. There are many ways you make a child’s stay in the hospital a good memory. Here are some examples of special projects that can be organized by youth groups or other community organizations to benefit patients and families at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

• Travel Packs: Our patients come from seven U.S. States as well as two states in Mexico, which means they often travel great distances to receive medical care.  Fill a backpack or travel bag with fun activities a patient can complete in transport.  Crayons, markers, colored pencils, crossword puzzle books, paper and coloring books are a few of the most common item.
• Craft Supply Kits: Select a craft and make a kit filled with all of the supplies and instructions necessary to complete the project.
• Stationery Kits: This is a project to help hospitalized children and teens keep in touch with family and friends.  Kits should include stationery, envelopes, stamps, pens, pencils, stickers and other items to enhance the message.
• Scrapbook Supply Kits: Make kits with everything a patient needs to create a scrapbook during his/her stay at Shriners Hospital. Ideas for items include a scrapbook, glue, scissors, stamps, stickers and disposable cameras.
• Parent Necessity Packs: Sometimes parents are so busy taking care of their children they forget to pack for themselves.Shampoo, conditioner, razors, deodorant, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and lotion are a few of the essentials they often forget to bring.
• Pop Tabs: An aluminum tab collection and recycling project is a great way to teach the values of philanthropy and recycling Why only tabs? Can tabs are made of pure aluminum and they are easier to store The hospital takes the donated tabs to a recycling company. Once the tabs are weighed (a pound equals 1,640 tabs) a check is cut based on the value of aluminum on that particular day.
• Pledge Based Event: Host a swim-a-thon, bike-a-thon, golf-a-thon, dance-a-thon or event of your choice. Raise pledges as well as awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children.
• Rake-It-In: Host a fall leaf clean up effort or a winter snow removal program. Ask each homeowner to contribute a donation in exchange for the service.
• Penny Drive: Small change can make a big difference in the life of a patient. Collect and donate spare change to benefit the hospital.
• Toy or Clothing Drive: As a club project, you may wish to collect new clothing or magazines, games, playing cards, books (Spanish and English) DVDs and toys. Please read our Toy and Clothing Donation Guidelines for restrictions.
• Make It or Bake It: Host a bake sale of craft fair.
• Mock Party: Host a mock birthday or other event. Ask each guest to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the hospital.

Please Note:  All donations are made directly to Shriners Hospitals for Children and are distributed to patients by hospital staff. Out of respect for our patients’ privacy, neither individuals nor groups may deliver gifts directly to patients. In order to meet the hospital’s infection control policy and to protect the health of our patients, only donations of NEW toys and NEW clothing will be accepted for distribution to our patients.