Spread Joy All Year Long by Donating to the Silver Cross Annual Toy Drive

Help make the holidays brighter for our pediatric patients by donating to Silver Cross Hospital’s annual Toy Drive.  Gifts of new toys go a long way during the holidays and all year long.

Silver Cross depends on the community’s generosity, like the Rusty Nutz Car Club, to help provide for the special needs of our patients.  Last year, Car Club members collected over 100 toys for the Hospital during their annual Christmas party which were given to children throughout the hospital – in the emergency department, surgery, outpatient testing and on the pediatric unit. 

“Our members have warm feelings that they have accomplished something by making some of the younger kids a little happier on Christmas,” Dave Grossklaus, recording secretary, shared, “giving them something to play with even though they are at the hospital.”  Toys and treats provide comfort and assist in the healing process

To participate in the toy drive, donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Information Desk inside the main Silver Cross Hospital lobby through the end of the year. According to Julie O’Malley, Manager of the Pediatrics Unit, infant and toddler crib toys in addition to Barbie dolls, small cars and trucks, and dinosaurs are always in high demand.  The Amy, Mattew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is also in need of sensory toys such as crib mobiles and play mats to assist in the development process of some of the Hospital’s tiniest patients.

For a complete rundown of our most desired items, please visit our WISH LIST.  You can also shop online through our Amazon and Walmart Wish Lists to have items shipped directly to the Hospital.

Gift cards, in any denomination, also make an incredible impact for our patients and families as well.  We will use your gift to purchase adaptative toys to assist with communicating and rehabilitation and for milestone events such as birthday celebrations.  Gift cards may be mailed to the Silver Cross Foundation, 1900 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox, IL  60451.

Donations of treats for the Kindness and Silver Service Carts is another way to support patients and staff at Silver Cross Hospital.  To help foster kindness, Silver Cross created both carts to spread good will and bring smiles to staff and visitors alike.  Hospital Leadership as well as volunteers make surprise visits around the campus creating special moments several times throughout the week.  Items such as pick me up treats – cookies, chips, granola bars, fruit snacks, bottled drinks – as well as everyday materials – magazines, travel-sized lotions, chap stick, ear buds, and crossword puzzle books – are some of the popular things taken from the carts upon a visit. 

Toys and treats are appreciated and accepted throughout the year.  To arrange a drop off or for more information, please contact Kelly Baltas at (815) 300-7105 or kbaltas@silvercross.org.