Ideas for Groups/Individuals wishing to donate items or volunteer |
Thank you for your interest in the children and families at St. John’s Children’s Hospital. We hope to make the experience enjoyable and memorable for you, as well as our patients.
Look here for visitor guidelines.
If you have any questions, please contact us at 217-544-6464 ext. 30594.
Thank you again for expressing interest in our patients and families at St. John’s Children’s Hospital. Your enthusiasm is appreciated! |
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Gifts of Love
This activity is for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Winter holiday season.
Children can shop for a gift for a parent or caretaker for a special holiday occasion.
Community groups provide small gifts, e.g. votive candles, small address books, note pads, or other "Dollar Store" type items. The volunteers "open a store" in the playroom of St. John's Pediatric Department and assist patients with shopping. The group may also bring simple wrapping paper or newsprint that may be decorated for the occasion and lend a hand in wrapping the gift. |
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Crayons, Crayons, Crayons!!!
Can you imagine how many crayons pediatric patients go through in a year?!!!
Children at St. John’s Children’s Hospital receive treatment in Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Surgery, Radiology, Emergency Department and many other areas. St. John’s Children’s Hospital is looking for corporate and civic groups to conduct crayon drives to replenish our crayon supply.
We can never have too many crayons!!! |
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Pinwheels for Patients
To help children get through their immunizations or other painful procedures, St. John’s Children’s Hospital staff like to provide each child with a pinwheel to encourage the child to "blow until the ouch is gone." This simple activity is important because:
- The child learns to use deep breathing as a relaxation technique for future stressful events.
- While focusing on breathing, the child’s muscles tend to stay more relaxed, which can relieve some of the injection comfort.
- By giving the child the "job" of breathing, the child may be more likely to hold still until the immunization or procedure is complete, making the event less stressful for the child, parent and staff members.
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Treasure Chests
Treasure Chests at St. John’s Children’s Hospital are brought to a child’s side after he or she has undergone any type of procedure or test. The Treasure Chest helps increase compliance and rewards children for getting through often painful, invasive procedures. We keep our Treasure Chests full of smaller toys for patient’s ages 2-8, both male and female. Some appropriate toys are:- Arts and crafts items
- Barbie dolls
- Nerf Basketball and footballs
- Play-doh ® kits
- Small games or puzzles
- Hand-held electronic games
- Card games
- Action figures
- Matchbox cars
- Small Lego Kits
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"Do" Kits
To help pediatric patients (ages 3-18) beat boredom in the hospital, your corporate or civic group can put together age-appropriate activity kits. Kits should be labeled and include appropriate items for the identified age group. Please include all materials kids will need to do arts and crafts projects. |
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Volunteer Your Time
Child Life Samaritans assist staff by providing age-appropriate recreational activities to hospitalized children and teens. Prospective Samaritans must commit to at least 6 months or 1 semester of college. Prospective Samaritans must also be able to commit to the same day and time period each week. If your interests coincide with these guidelines, please contact the Samaritan office at 217-544-6464 ext. 44205. |
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