Children's of Mississippi: Online holiday wish lists make giving easy

2022-08-08 09:52:49 By : Mr. rex fang

Children's of Mississippi officials are asking the community for support to make Christmas wishes come true for patients hospitalized during the holiday this year.

Similar to last year, Children's of Mississippi's holiday wish lists for toys and supplies are online for community members to buy gifts to support families and children, a University of Mississippi Medical Center news release stated.

"The easier and most helpful way to support Children’s of Mississippi patients this holiday season is to shop online from our wish lists and have gifts shipped to the children’s hospital on the University of Mississippi Medical Center campus,” said Jen Hospodor, director of community development, annual giving and alumni engagement. “Contactless delivery keeps our donors and our patients safer.” 

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The gifts can be bought online through Amazon and Walmart, the news release stated, and links can be found at umc.edu/inkinddonations.

Some of the items on the wish lists include toys such as baby dolls, Barbies, trucks, dinosaurs, activity books and art projects; snacks for families, clothing and personal care items. Toys should be for children aged birth to 18 years old, according to the list.

Other items community members can buy include sensory toys for babies, pajama pants, socks and slippers for children and teens. 

Items the hospital staff cannot accept include:

Hospital staff also can't allow personal deliveries of gifts or donations directly to patients, but deliveries from groups that can't shop online are being scheduled on a case-by-case basis. 

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While the holiday season is a great time to give, Children's of Mississippi officials say toys are needed all year to help brighten patients' birthdays or serve as incentives when a patient completes treatment, the news release said. 

"We are always amazed at the generosity of Mississippians,” child life specialist Tiffany Key said. “Their gifts of toys and supplies for our patients and their families help the children’s hospital all year long.”

Anyone with questions about helping give can call 601-213-8054 or email inkinddonations@umc.edu.

Have a news tip? Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, on Twitter or at 601-215-4292.