How you can help children in need at Children’s Hospital Colorado this holiday season

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Staff and volunteers at Children’s Hospital Colorado are working to bring hope and comfort to young patients during their stay at the hospital over the holidays – and they’re asking for help from the community.

While giving back is a top priority during the holiday season, donations and support will help patients and their families throughout the year, Children’s Colorado said.

Adopt a family

Hospital bills are never cheap, and balancing medical expenses and vacations can be difficult. The hospital’s Adopt-A-Family program is designed to help families who need additional financial support to make the holiday season special.

To help, you can donate $100 in gift cards individually or choose to adopt a specific family for financial assistance.

Since the program’s inception more than 10 years ago, community members have helped deliver holiday meals and gifts to more than 500 patients and their families through gift card donations, according to Children’s Colorado.

For more information on how to donate or adopt a family, contact [email protected].

Make a donation

Children’s Colorado relies on donations year-round for new toys, books, stuffed animals, blankets and other gifts to keep hospital playrooms fun for young patients and families feel at home. The hospital has wish lists available online at Amazon and Target.

This year, Children’s Colorado is also partnering with Hero, an app that makes it easier than ever to purchase exactly what patients need.

To get started, simply download the Hero – Philanthropic Shopping app on your smartphone and search for “Children’s Hospital Colorado.” From there, you can see what your local hospitals need and purchase it directly through the app. The donation will be sent directly to the hospital.

Donated items must be brand new and in original packaging; used items will not be accepted due to infection control regulations.

Anyone interested in donating to support families year-round can find more information here.

Children’s Colorado also said it is always looking for donations of fleece blankets to help provide comfort and warmth to patients during their hospital stay. If you want to make a fleece blanket for the hospital, you can download the simple blanket making instructions.

Blood and platelet donation

Donations don’t have to be monetary this time of year: Children’s Colorado said blood and platelet donations are always needed, and without donations many desperately needed procedures would not be possible.

If you are able to donate blood or platelets, call the Blood Donation Center at 720-777-5398 for a telephone screening and appointment.

“Every year at Children’s Hospital Colorado, sick and injured children receive more than 8,000 units of life-saving blood products. More than 95% of this blood comes from our Blood Donation Center thanks to the generous people in our community,” Children’s Hospital Colorado says on its website. .

Take part in the holiday parade

If you enjoy dressing up and spreading holiday cheer—or have a unique collector car, or are a member of your local car club—participating in the hospital holiday parade may be just what you need!

Join hospital patients, staff and volunteers on December 13th from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Children’s Hospital Colorado Springs for the start of the season.

To register to attend, email [email protected].