Help Make the Holidays a Little Brighter For Young Patients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 10, 2018) ­– Spending time in the hospital for illness or injury is no fun for kids, especially when they have to be there during the holidays.

The staff and volunteers of Kentucky Children's Hospital do all they can to make the holidays merry and bright for young patients. From holiday parties to caroling nurses, they ensure kids that they won't miss out on any of their favorite holiday traditions. And that includes a visit from Santa, who assures them that even though they are in the hospital, he and his reindeer will still pay them a visit on Christmas Eve.

"We try to create special events for families and patients so they can celebrate the holiday like they were at home," said Jennifer Guilliams, Child and Family Life Coordinator. "We've had children that have said things such as 'I didn't realize Santa was going to come because I wasn't at my house. The opportunity to be able to provide that has been a blessing."

But Guilliams and her team couldn't do without help from the community. The Child Life Staff welcomes donations during the annual KCH Toy Drive. The wish lists include art supplies, craft kits, DVDs and games. Links to Amazon and Target wish lists are included on their website, and gift cards and monetary donations are accepted as well. Donation drop-off dates are:

• Thursday, December 13, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Friday, December 14, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday, December 15, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Monday, December 17, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 18, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Donors should contact the Child Life Department at KCHChildlife@uky.edu to receive directions to the drop-off location and a confirmation for your donation.

Outside UK, volunteer groups from across the community organize gift drives for the hospital.

KCH partners with Jarett's Joy Cart, a non-profit organization that delivers toys to patients throughout the year. Jarrett Mynear started the Joy Cart in 1999 while a patient at KCH. He wanted to find a way to help his fellow patients, and bring them some joy during their stays. Jarrett passed away in 2002, but his mother Jennifer Mynear keeps the holiday tradition going.

"Jarrett wanted to kids to know that we were thinking about them," said Mynear. "Especially having been through a lot of what these families are going through, being in here right up to the holidays."

Click here to read more about the Joy Cart and how to get involved.

In 2015, Sunny King, a volunteer in KCH's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, started the Snow Bunny Baby Project, collecting donations for families with newborns as a way to provides support and essential supplies during a stressful time. King and her team are accepting donations until December 15. The most requested items are:  

• Baby Wash
• Diapers, size 2
• Baby Wipes (150-200 count)
• Infant Toys
• Infant Wash Cloths
• Onesies (size three to six months)

To make a donation, contact Sunny King at sunnyjoywinner@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page. Monetary donations are also accepted.