August 26, 2021

American Family Children’s Hospital seeks donations for kids

Two medical providers, wearing surgical masks, holding children's art work

Madison, Wis. – Child life specialists and staff at American Family Children’s Hospital are hoping the community can help provide kids with some high-need items since donations have decreased during the pandemic.

Child life specialists work with children, adolescents, and families to cope with the fear and anxiety sometimes associated with a medical environment. Part of their interactions include providing toys, craft supplies, teaching tools, activities, and books that let kids and teens learn, play and feel normal.

Due to the pandemic, there are certain necessary infection control rules that affect items that are used often; for example, crayons cannot be reused by more than one patient.

“We understand the pandemic has been very hard for everyone and we appreciate all the community support we’ve received. We hope people will consider donating to help our patients because it will make a huge impact,” said Julie Auenson, manager of child life services at American Family Children’s Hospital. “The best way to donate is to shop safely online and have the items shipped to UW Health.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UW Health does not allow in-person donations right now. Please review the wish lists on Amazon and Target and send any donations to the hospital.

Amazon.com

  • AFCH Child Life Amazon registry

    • Or, go to the registry page and in the "find a Baby Registry" search bar, type "afch." Then select the registry listed as: afch.

  • If you shop on smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates 0.5% of your purchase to a charity of your choice. Go to the Amazon Smile Program and select University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Authority as the charity organization to donate to our Child Life Department.

Target

More ways to help

Monetary gifts can also be made to support the Child Life team and allow them to purchase much needed items for patients all year. Learn more or donate

A list of the highest-need items:

  • Adult coloring books

  • Melissa and Doug reusable sticker books

  • Diamond art kits

  • Pop-it fidget toys

  • Wet brush 3-packs

  • Elmer’s Glue slime kits

  • Fisher-Price Little People/toys

  • Board books

  • Dinosaurs

  • Kinetic sand

  • Craft kits

  • Canvas

  • Colored pencils

  • Fisher-Price musical toys