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Volunteer opportunities
Due infection control guidelines, we require that all donations be brand new and in the original packaging. We cannot accept any used or gently used items.
Holiday wish lists
Donating to the Child Life department at Shands Children's Hospital during the holiday season is a wonderful way to support the patients! This year, the Child Life team has hand-picked age specific gifts to ensure every child will receive a thoughtful gift this holiday season. By purchasing items from the wish lists, or donating funds, you can help spread joy and bring comfort to our patients and families.
Any items that are not used as holiday gifts will be used year-round in our playrooms, inpatient units, clinics and many more pediatric patient service areas
We are grateful for your generosity and thank you for your support.
Infant
By contributing to our infant wish list, you can provide essential interactive and developmentally appropriate toys ensuring they have the tools they need to explore and engage with their world.
Toddler
Donating to our toddler wish list allows you to enrich the play experience for young children by providing engaging and developmentally appropriate toys that foster learning, creativity, and important skills.
Preschool
Purchasing from the preschool wish list is a fantastic way to encourage imaginative play, fine motor skills, and problem-solving abilities. This thoughtful selection can provide endless fun and educational value, making any of these items perfect gifts for any preschooler.
School-age children
Gifting from the school age wish list promotes fun and entertainment. Items found in this wish list encourage development of gross motor skills, peer interactions, and creativity beneficial for their growth.
Adolescent
Purchasing from the adolescent wish list will provide entertainment, functionality, and a creative atmosphere for the adolescent. The various components promote physical activity, personal expression, and offers a variety of well-rounded choices.
Walmart Wish List
Shands Children’s hospital is a part of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). CMN works year-round with one of their many corporate partners, Walmart, to fundraise and ensure that patient needs are met. Our Walmart wish list is filled with a variety of developmentally appropriate items to promote normalization and positive coping in the hospital.
Make a cash gift Download toy list
How to donate
Our goal is to make donating as convenient and safe as possible. We are encouraging donors to order online directly from our wish lists, or from the vendor of their choice and have items shipped directly to the hospital.
Send donations directly via mail
UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital
Child Life Department
1600 SW Archer RD
BOX 100335
Gainesville, FL 32610
Deliver to the hospital
- Please complete this donation form and bring it with you when you drop off your donation. For those that prefer to drop off items to the hospital, we offer a contactless delivery option.
- Currently, we are accepting donations daily from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Please call ahead to schedule a delivery time. This ensures a Child Life staff member is available to meet you.
- Weekdays please call: (352) 594-6470
- Weekends please call: (352) 494-5500
Child Life staff will provide directions when you call to schedule a delivery. We ask that you please follow the guidelines below to ensure our patients’ safety.
- Due to safety precautions, a Child Life staff member will meet you outside to collect your donation.
- To protect the privacy of our patients, donors will not be allowed to deliver room to room. All donated items will be distributed to patients by Child Life staff.
In-kind donation guidelines
- Due to infection control guidelines, all toys or items of any kind must be brand new and in original packaging. We cannot accept any used or gently used items.
- Stuffed animals and plush toys will not be accepted unless they are in the original manufacturers packaging.
- Please do not include food, candy or gum. Many patients are on restricted diets.
- All items must be politically and religiously neutral. Please do not include religious reading material.
- Latex items are not permitted (including latex balloons), as many individuals have latex allergies.
- All donated art items such as paint, crayon, glue, etc. must be labeled non-toxic
- Please make sure items do not contain small parts such as buttons, glass, magnetic balls or any game that contains magnetic pieces.
- Please do not include any toy or item that contains button batteries.
- Please do not include any items that represent violence (soldiers, guns, war games, etc.).
- Please do not gift wrap items.
Additional ways you can help
Community fundraising and toy drive requirements
Any person or organization interested in participating in the MyCommunity Fundraiser Program must complete an Event Proposal Application and submit a brief summary of the event or campaign. The application must be submitted for prior approval through the UF Health Office of Development. This application process allows us to identify how the funds raised will best benefit our organization.
Interested in hosting a MyCommunity Fundraising Program?
- Please complete a fundraising application and submit for approval by sending to the Office of Development at offdev@shands.ufl.edu, or fax to (352) 265-7954.
- Check out the MyCommunity Fundraiser Planning Kit, which provides tips and resources for your event, including fundraising procedures, promotional material and keys to success!