Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Child Life program is sustained through donations from the community. In addition to funds, there is an ongoing need for the supplies used to engage with children and teens to help them through the stress of a hospital stay. Thanks to their innovative use of an online gift registry, LG Health’s Child Life Specialists have a new way to ensure children receive the support they deserve.
“Toys are our tools for relating to patients. We utilize them to promote positive coping through play, preparation, support and distraction,” said Kate Stoltzfoos, BS, CCLS, one of four Child Life Specialists at Lancaster General Hospital’s Seraph-McSparren Pediatric Inpatient Center.
For infection control, many of the toys, books, games and art supplies are given to the children to keep. To replenish the supplies most in need, the team created a wish list of items donors could purchase.
“When COVID-19 hit, we realized we needed a new, contactless process to stay connected to the community and keep everyone safe,” Stoltzfoos said.
In Nov. 2020, Child Life created a wish list on myregistry.com, a website typically used for wedding and baby showers. Donors can select from a variety of items for children and teens from retailers like Amazon, Target and Walmart, and their gift will be shipped directly to the hospital. More than 100 gifts have been purchased to date.
To visit the Child Life gift registry, go to myregistry.com and search: Penn Medicine LGH.