SUMMER JUNIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM 

This program gives high school students the opportunity to gain experience providing customer service and support to patients and their families in a hospital setting.  “While we do not offer opportunities for clinical exposure and/or shadowing Hospital staff, Junior Volunteers will learn about the healthcare environment through certain assignments.”

Summer Junior volunteers are asked to serve for 12 hours a week, for a minimum of 8 weeks during June to mid-August.  All volunteers must complete a minimum of 96 hours over the summer.  Shifts are Monday to Friday 9-12 and 1-4; students typically commit to 4 shifts a week.

Application information for the summer appears on the Volunteer Program web page in January. The application period for summer 2020 is now closed.

SCHOOL YEAR JUNIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

In this program, high school students serve after school and/or on weekends for at least 2 hours a week.  As with the summer program, duties include customer service and patient/family support and do not involve clinical exposure or shadowing.

Application information for the school year program appears on the Volunteer Program web page in August.

CREATE SMALL CRAFT / ACTIVITY KITS

The hospital welcomes:

Craft packets that include all supplies so that patients can work in their rooms unsupervised. Examples include door hangers, nametags, or small crafts. Place all items in a Ziploc bag with simple instructions a child can follow.

Activity books that contain a few coloring pages, word finds, or crosswords. You can make packets with 5 pages, hole punch one corner and connect with a ribbon for a customized, possibly seasonally inspired, activity packet.

Knitting supplies: cotton yarn – not bulky (any brand and color), size 7 circular knitting needles (small loops preferred, but not necessary), size I/9 crochet hooks.

More ideas and information are here.

DONATE NEW TOYS & GAMES

Items for infants and adolescents are particularly appreciated.  All items must be new, in original packaging.

Infants: Crib mobiles Musical stuffed animals Cradle gyms Soft rubber dolls Fisher Price brand toys & rattles Infant mirrors Sassy brand items Receiving blankets Infant links

Toddlers: Wooden puzzles, musical toys & boxes, Fisher-Price brand toys,  Playskool brand toys,  push/pull toys, dolls & action figures, Play-Doh (non-toxic), Tonka brand toys,  Matchbox cars,  Buddy-L vehicles.

School aged: Board games- simple, 2+ players,  activity books,  50-piece puzzles,  craft/paint/model sets, Etch-a-sketch, coloring books, crayons & markers (non-toxic), DVDs (rated G and PG).

Adolescents: Sudoku puzzles, Hair supplies/accessories, cross stitch sets, Lego sets,  Playing cards (Uno, Skip-bo), Board games (Chess, Connect 4), PlayStation 2 and Wii games (rated G or PG- 13), advanced craft/paint/model sets, handheld video games, DVDs (rated G or PG), coloring books for adults, 100+ piece puzzles.

More ideas and information are here.

DONATE NEW NON-TOY ITEMS

Care kits including: travel size toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, disposable razors, shaving cream, comb, hairbrush, and/or lotion.

New clothing such as plain colored pajama pants, elastic waist shorts, t-shirts, socks, slippers, underwear and onesies.

Fun colored blankets and pillows to brighten patient rooms.

More ideas and information are here.

MAKE BLANKETS, PILLOWCASES, OR PILLOWS

Blankets comfort patients of any age. Infant flannel blankets should measure 30” x 30”.  Fleece and quilted blankets can measure from 36” x 36” up to 72” x 90”.  Material should be pre-washed.

Volunteers can also make cheerful patterned pillowcases made from soft prewashed fabric or fleece the size of a standard pillowcase.  These are given to patients.

Fun-shaped handmade pillows can bring joy and comfort to patients. Pillows should not be larger than 7” x 10″.

The hospital also welcomes handmade telemetry device holders, finger puppets, hats, and other items.

Guidelines and more information are here.