Help the patients of Golisano Children’s at UK have a happy holiday
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2025) — Every year, children have to spend the holidays in the hospital, away from their families and their holiday traditions. Though they have been assured that Santa will still visit them on Christmas Eve, you can help make the holidays a little brighter for the patients at Golisano Children’s at UK.
Generous community partners in and around Lexington are hosting toy drives and fundraisers to support the children’s hospital. Anyone who wishes to join in is welcome to take part through the partners listed below.
Cram the Cruiser
Through Dec. 10, the University of Kentucky Police Department will accept new, unwrapped toys for donation. These can be dropped off at UKPD’s headquarters, 152 Transcript Ave. More information here.
Buy a Buddy – PetSmart Toy Drive
Through Dec. 16, add a $5 stuffed animal to your PetSmart transaction at either the Hamburg location in Lexington or the Brannon Crossing location in Nicholasville. All stuffed animals will be donated to UK Golisano Children’s. Find out more here.
Kendra Scott at Fritz Farm
Visit Kendra Scott anytime between Nov. 30 and Dec. 13 to purchase a special piece, specifically for teens at the hospital, and receive a discount on your entire purchase.
Address: 120 Summit At Fritz Farm Suite 150, Lexington
Walmart and Wildcat Moving Winter Wonderland Toy Drive
Dec. 5, 4-7 p.m. and Dec. 6, noon-4 p.m. at Walmart, 4051 Nicholasville Road, Lexington
Shop at Walmart Supercenter and drop off a new, unwrapped toy in the Wildcat Moving truck parked outside. Find out more here.
Beau's Buds Very Merry Christmas Dinner
Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m at Fasig-Tipton’s Seattle Slew Room, 2400 Newtown Pike, Lexington
Louis’ Christmas Shop along with Holly Hill Co. present a festive dinner and auction to benefit UK Golisano Children’s. Enjoy a cocktail hour followed by a delectable spread of local flavors from Holly Hill chefs Nicholas Zaluski and Micah Arvin.
After dinner, enjoy a warm beverage from Old School Coffee and music by Colin and Harper Michael while Beau Spicer, owner of Louis’ Flower Power, hosts both a live and silent auction on bourbon, art and one of a kind gifts. Tickets are on sale here.
UK Women’s Basketball vs. Wright State
Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m. at Historic Memorial Coliseum
Drop off a new, unwrapped toy as you watch the UK women’s basketball team take on Wright State. Tickets are on sale here.
Donate directly to UK Golisano Children’s
Donations can be dropped off at the children’s hospital by appointment through Dec. 22. Additionally, you can have your donations sent directly by shopping from the online wish lists. Learn more here. Monetary donations help sustain the Child Life team throughout the year, allowing them to celebrate children’s various milestones along their health care journey. Donate online here.
Kentucky Children’s Hospital is now Golisano Children's at UK. Read about this change and the historic $50 million gift that will transform health care for Kentucky's kids: ukhealthcare.com/golisano.
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.