Unwrapping Holiday Magic

At Connecticut Children’s, toys are more than just fun. In the hands of a Child Life Specialist, toys are important therapeutic tools to help a child understand a procedure they’re facing or as a distraction during a diagnostic test. This year’s Heroes & Helpers Toy Drop-off made even the North Pole jealous! One hundred and fifty volunteers spent two days greeting 257 toy donors, unloading cars, and sorting and shelving toys. 25,720 toys, to be exact.

The giving didn’t stop there. Fifteen teams and 11 individuals held Virtual Toy Drives, raising nearly $17,000. These donations give our Child Life Specialists the flexibility to purchase items throughout the year based on the ages and interests of current patients. One of this year’s top individual donors was Tyler, a high school student and a Connecticut Children’s 2023 All-Star Patient, whose Virtual Toy Drive raised over $1,000. 

A big thank you to everyone who donated toys and volunteered their time! And another huge thank you to our generous Heroes & Helpers Toy Drop-off sponsors: 

• Lia Auto Group
• Nick and Karen Zoccoli
• M&T Bank
• Aetna
• ImageFIRST Laundry Services

For three days in December, the Family Resource Center became a toy shop extraordinaire. At the Snowflake Shop, volunteer elves helped 150 families, whose children were inpatient for the holidays, shop—free of charge—for gifts including toys, stuffed animals, pajamas, blankets, books, holiday-themed items and much more. Over 1,000 gifts were distributed, along with “to-go” wrapping materials and coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. Popular gifts this year were squishmallows, Barbies and sensory toys. The shop provided gifts for patients of all ages, from infants to teens—and siblings, too!

“Thanks to our community of donors and our passionate staff and volunteers, we had a very successful Snowflake Shop this year,” said Lauren Turcotte, Child Life Specialist and Snowflake Shop Coordinator. “Parents and caregivers had the opportunity to step away for a moment, shop for their child and family and experience the warmth of the holiday season. We truly appreciate everyone who comes together to make this a special program!”

On each night of Hanukkah, menorahs were lit in the Family Resource Center and on each inpatient unit. Jewish families who were celebrating were offered traditional doughnuts, Hanukkah-themed window clings, dreidels, Hanukkah gelt, coloring books and handmade Hanukkah quilts and pillowcases.

Santa took a break from his busy Christmas schedule to hand out gifts and pose for pictures with patients and families—even our littlest patients, in the NICU. On Christmas Day, patients received Connecticut Children’s logo blankets and hooded bath towels.

During Kwanzaa, December 26 through January 1, kinara candles were lit daily on each inpatient unit. Fliers posted with the kinaras explained each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

On Three Kings Day (January 6), patients were offered a small box filled with “straw” and a gift in honor of the three kings and their visit to Jesus. The box also included a description of the holiday and how it is celebrated.

Connecticut Children’s mission is 100 percent caring for kids and ensuring access to the best, comprehensive services that treat the whole child. That’s not only medical treatment. It’s also the care and comfort that come from celebrating important holidays, even when those holidays are spent in the hospital. Day after day, dedicated supporters like you help make this mission possible.