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Every year, University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital is fortunate enough to receive a flurry of donations during the holidays from dedicated and generous families and organizations that want to make a difference for others.

For a variety of reasons—including our patients’ complex health needs—we cannot accept some items. Other items are in high demand among the families who visit our hospital. To help donors understand our standards, we’ve compiled this handy 2018 donation guide.

What kinds of donations do you accept?

Due to infection prevention concerns, we only accept new, unwrapped toys, books, clothes and crafts in their original packaging—preferably in plastic bags directly from the store. We also accept monetary donations to the hospital. These gifts help advance pediatric medical research and support patient and family programming at the hospital. Click here to donate or learn more. Would you prefer to volunteer at our hospitals? Click here to for more information about our volunteer opportunities.

So, I can’t donate toys my children no longer use?

Correct. Often people ask if they can donate their stuffed animals, beanie babies, holiday bears or other collections. We deeply appreciate donors’ willingness to help, but unfortunately we cannot accept these items. Occasionally, we will accept some gently used DVDs and video games, but these must be approved before donating to the hospital. We cannot accept used board games. Some gently used books can also be donated to the hospital’s Family Resource Center—including non-fiction books, Guinness World Record books and adult fiction books published in the last five years. We accept new movies that are rated PG-13 and under. Please, no R-rated movies.

Looking for specific donation ideas? Scroll down for suggestions, or check out the Amazon wish list our teams have compiled.

OK, I’ve got new, acceptable items. How do I donate?

Donations can be arranged through Patient and Family Support Services Programs Coordinator Ann Shelp. You can contact Ann via email at ashelp1@fairview.org. We are happy to meet donors during business hours Monday through Friday in the lobby of University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital for a photo opportunity with their donation. Donations can also be dropped off at the hospital’s information desk in the main lobby at other times. 

Do I have to do anything else?

We ask donors to complete a “Gift in Kind” form and a donation form at the time of the donation. If the donation does not meet hospital criteria, we’ll be unable to accept the donation and will not be able to provide documentation for tax purposes. 

Where can I bring my donation if you can’t accept it?

If we can’t take it, we recommend donating to the following organizations:

For used items:

• Sharing and Caring Hands
  575 N. 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405
  Phone: 612-338-4640
  
  
• Goodwill Stores – Various locations around the metro area

For food, candy or beverages:

• Second Harvest Food Bank (Two Locations)
  Brooklyn Park
  7101 Winnetka Ave. N,
  Brooklyn Park, MN 55428
  Phone: 651-209-7980

St. Paul
1140 Gervais Ave.
St. Paul, MN, 55109
Phone: 651-484-5117

What items do you need the most?

Our pediatric patients love age-appropriate toys and games. We typically ask for a wide range of toys, clothes and books. We can use everything from arts and craft supplies to Xbox and PlayStation 4 video games. Looking for donation ideas? See our list of prioritized items below:

For infants and toddlers, we especially need:

• Rattles
• Light-up and sound toys
• Links and plastic rings
• O-balls
• Infant kick-and-play crib toys

For preschool and school-age patients, we especially need:

• Thomas & Friends trains (Die-cast style)
• Paw Patrol toys
• Lego kits

For teens, we especially need:

• Lego kits
• Headphones
• Slippers and slipper socks
• Burt’s Bees kits
• Minnesota sports team apparel

Books that we especially need:

• Baby board books
• Books with princess themes
• Books with superhero themes
• The very latest in young adult fiction