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Donate Items

Make a difference with your in-kind donation to Nicklaus Children's

hospitalized girl reading a book at her bed
hospitalized girl reading a book at her bed

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We greatly appreciate your interest in giving back to support Nicklaus Children's. Medical care is just one part of a child’s journey to recovery. Donations such as toys, technology, gift cards, monetary contributions, and other thoughtful items help us create the best possible patient experience and make our hospital and outpatient centers welcoming spaces for children and families. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions below.

For questions, please email us at annualgiving@nicklaushealth.org.

What is Spread Joy?

Spread Joy is here to make a difference all year long! Our toy donation program, Spread Joy, is dedicated to lifting the spirits of our patients and families during their stay, not just during the holidays but throughout the year. Donations of toys, gift cards, and monetary gifts go a long way in brightening the days of children and families, bringing smiles and joy to those who need it most. Thank you for helping us create moments of happiness and hope!

Learn more

The following list contains our most requested items from patients and families:

  • Fidget toys
  • $25 gift cards ( Amazon, Target, Visa, UberEats)
  • Slime Kits
  • Craft Kits
  • LEGO sets
  • Playdoh

Frequently Asked Questions

Every donation brings joy and comfort to our patients and their families. To ensure your generosity has the greatest impact, we encourage you to review our current list of needed items. These lists are thoughtfully curated by our care teams to meet the specific needs of children in our hospital.
We do not accept used items in any condition. For the health and safety of our patients, we can only accept new items in their original packaging.
To protect the well-being of our patients, certain items cannot be accepted. Below is a list of items we are unable to receive:

For a full list, please contact our team or review our guidelines.

  • Used, opened, or gently used items
  • Handmade Items
  • Collector or vintage items
  • Medical supplies
  • Weighted blankets
  • Homemade or expired food items
  • Items containing water beads, gel beads, or orbeez
  • Furniture or large displays/artwork
  • Handmade cards or personalized notes
  • Energy drinks or CBD/Hemp-based products
  • Latex items
  • Gift-wrapped items
  • Flowers or potted plants
  • Coupons or vouchers
  • Private collections that have never been played with, but have been stored away
  • Violent toys
  • Drivable toys (e.g., Power Wheels)
  • Wheeled toys (e.g., scooters, bicycles)
Yes! We welcome donations at our hospital campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To ensure a smooth process, we kindly ask that you schedule an appointment in advance. This allows us to have someone ready to receive your thoughtful gifts.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer donation pick-up services at this time.
While we understand the desire to connect with our patients, we are unable to allow direct delivery of gifts due to patient confidentiality and infection control protocols. Rest assured, your donation will be distributed thoughtfully to bring smiles to our patients.
To ensure the safety and privacy of our patients, visitors are not permitted inside the hospital unless authorized by staff or family members. However, we encourage groups to organize donation drives and peer to peer fundraising events to support our children. If you are looking to host a patient event, please contact annualgiving@nicklaushealth.org.
Yes, gift cards are a wonderful way to support families in need. These cards are used to provide non-medical financial assistance to families and are distributed through our hospital team. Please schedule an appointment to drop off gift cards so we can ensure they are used appropriately.
To protect the privacy of our patients, we kindly ask that you refrain from taking photos or videos while on campus. If you’d like a photo opportunity during your donation drop-off, our team can arrange one outside the hospital.
There are many ways to bring joy to our patients! You can donate toys, books, games, or other items from our Amazon Wishlists, or make a monetary donation to support the growing needs of children and families in our care.