Saint Joseph's Children's Hospital Receives 300 Toys from Mattel

Patients at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital received some special Christmas presents this season, and that spirit of giving will continue throughout 2010 thanks to a donation of 300 free toys from Mattel Inc.

It was part of a partnership between the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and Mattel, Inc.

“The toys were distributed throughout the holidays--during Santa’s visits and to patients that spent the holiday in the hospital,” said Heidi Giese, CCLS, CTRS, CIMI, Child Life Program manager. “They will also be used in the pediatric activity areas and throughout the year for birthday presents, game prizes, ‘end of chemo’ parties and other events that we hold. They are a wonderful gift that helps us provide hours of fun and distraction for our patients, and we are grateful to receive them.”

NACHRI and Mattel distributed more than 50,000 toys to hospitalized children across the also paid for the shipping costs for each hospital. Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital is one of NACHRI’s 220 member children’s hospitals.

“Mattel’s philanthropy is about putting smiles on the faces of children,” said Robert Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel, Inc. “We are especially proud of being able to help hospitalized children at Saint Joseph’s Children’s Hospital through this unique product donation to NACHRI members.”

Gifts In Kind International, an organization that partners with businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide quality products and services that improve lives in communities around the world, administered the distribution of the toys. Donated items included Barbie dolls, Puffalumps, cookie jar shape sorters, hot wheels, action figures, Dinoland sets, rattles, and DVD games.